POLICE riding high-powered off-road bikes are to crack down on the new wave of illegal riders who get mini-motos for Christmas.

And officers have warned parents not to buy the controversial machines as presents - because they could get seized and crushed within days.

The move comes after 44 of the tiny motorised bikes were seized or crushed Blackburn in a six-week summer blitz.

Sergeant Keith Jackson, of Accrington Road Policing Unit, said: "The message to parents is that a mini-moto may only be for Christmas because in January we will be targeting those being used illegally and anti-socially."

His unit has just taken delivery of the two 398cc off-road bikes that will be used to catch people using mini-motos across the police's Eastern division, which covers Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

Mini motos are not approved for road use and cannot be taxed or be put through an MOT, meaning it is always illegal to ride them on public highways or land.

Police said that parents should only buy one of the machines for their child if they either have some land where they can use them or are planning to ride it at a motocross track like Trax in Preston.

Sgt Jackson added: "The work we did in the summer has reduced a lot of the anti-social behaviour but with it being the run up to Christmas we are expecting parents to buy them as presents.

"Often children are using mini motos unsupervised and that carries inherent dangers. For example if they are riding on rough land and have a collision it can be difficult to get assistance to them. "

He said police would be targetting areas where residents had complained about the problem.

The new bikes were made by CCM which was based in Shadsworth, Blackburn until July 2004, when the factory moved to Bolton.

Austin Clews, general manager of CCM, said: "It's nice to see Lancashire police using our 404 Dual Sport motorcycles.

"We hope their operation is successful."

The summer campaign was led by the Government's Respect Task Force from the Home Office.

Louise Casey, the Government's Co-ordinator for Respect, said: "Mini motos are not toys. Their loud engines and speed can make them a menace to communities, disrupting people's right to live in peace and safety.

"Our summer campaign has shown that targeted enforcement action coupled with education can be hugely successful in reducing the harmful impact of mini motos on local communities."

Anyone with a mini moto problem in their area should call the police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

It was also revealed that more than 20 teenagers from Blackburn's Whitebirk estate and Darwen's Sudell area are to be given a two day training course to teach them how to ride a motorbike safely.

Sgt Jackson said the lessons had been offered to teenagers caught riding motorbikes anti-socially, and were aimed at helping them get a licence and being safe on the road.