OFF road bikers are being warned that their vehicles could be seized in a bid to make the streets and parks of a south Durham town safer.

After a flood of complaints from residents in Shildon, police have vowed to crackdown on irresponsible quad bike and motorcycle riders who cause havoc in the town centre and town parks.

Five motorcycles were confiscated last weekend when the campaign was launched by Durham Constabulary.

It is hoped the campaign, which will continue throughout the summer, will be supported by local people who will work with the police to find designated sites where off-road bikers can ride safely and legally.

People in Shildon, particularly young families and the elderly, have complained to the police about the noise and danger caused by off-road motorcyclists.

At the centre of the problem is the Jubilee Fields area, where culprits have churned up grass verges and put themselves and the public at risk.

Beat officer PC Mandy Lawton is urging motorcyclists to stop using their bikes in this way before someone is injured. She said: "These bikers threaten the safety of children playing and other people in the vicinity by going through housing estates to reach grassed areas where they tear about at speed putting themselves and others at risk of injury.

"They need to be aware that there is nowhere in Shildon where they are allowed to ride motorbikes off-road."

Police suspect that some parts on the motorbikes seized last Saturday and Sunday could have been stolen.

Police warned bike owners to be vigilant. PC Lawton said: "There are people who will part with good money to buy bikes only to discover that the machines themselves or parts of them are stolen.

"If this is the case they can lose the bike permanently or those parts that are stolen.

"Anyone considering buying a motorcycle can get advice from police before they purchase it.

"If potential buyers contact me I'd be happy to take a look at a bike for them. It's better for them to find out there is a problem before they buy a machine than afterwards.