LIVES are being put at risk by youngsters who have turned a busy stretch of road into a "bomb alley".

Drivers in cars and lorries are being targeted by gangs gathering on flyovers and dropping missiles on to traffic passing below.

In the past five weeks, six vehicles on the A174 between Middlesbrough and Eston have been damaged.

Police are stepping up patrols on flyovers to catch the gangs.

The latest incident on Monday, near the Greystones roundabout, resulted in the windscreen of a heavy lorry being shattered.

Police believe the attacks are being carried out by boys and girls aged between 12 and 14, and they say it is a miracle no one has been killed.

Chief Superintendent John Kelly, district commander of Langbaugh, said: "People have been killed and maimed by this sort of activity in other parts of the country, and that could quite easily happen here.

"This is not a game. Dropping concrete, bricks and stones onto moving vehicles could have disastrous consequences. If we catch the people responsible they will face charges of criminal damage, and probably criminal damage with the intent to endanger life."

In a frightening development in the Black Bridge area of Kirkleatham, Redcar, a van being driven by harbour police crashed into a fencing wire strung across the road.

Police fear the booby trap could have killed someone riding a motorcycle or bike.

The "bombing", most of which has taken place in the early afternoons, has become more frequent since the summer holidays began.

Chief Supt Kelly is appealing for parents to warn children of the dangers of interfering with traffic.

He said: "Children may think it is fun, but they are inches away from causing death and destruction on one of the busiest roads in the county.

"It's not a game, it is a serious criminal offence. I would appeal to parents to make sure they know what their children are up to.

"Youngsters do get bored during the summer holidays but the bombing of moving traffic is not something we will tolerate.