HAMPSHIRE Police are appealing to residents to help identify a man in a bid to tackle motorcycle crime.

The appeal comes after two off-road bikes were seen riding illegally on Lower Brownhill Road in Southampton on April 18 between 7pm and 7.30pm.

Officers said they were being ridden at speed, endangering pedestrians and road users.

Police confirmed that both bikes travelled along Lower Brownhill Road up to Hillyfields before going through the underpass from Five Acres field.

They were then seen in the alleyway between Mercury Close and Jupiter Close.

PC Simon Peacock from the Southampton West Neighbourhood Policing Team, heads up Operation Torque, which is aimed at tackling this type of motorcycle crime in the area.

He said: “ These bikes are not road legal and were being ridden at speed, putting not only themselves at serious risk, but pedestrians and other road users.”

Police confirmed that neither riders were wearing helmets.

“We are keen to speak to him in relation to this incident, so I would like to hear from anyone who recognises him,” PC Peacock said.

Officers are urging anyone who may have seen these bikes on Tuesday to come forward.

As previously reported, similar accidents were reported in the area around Southampton last summer.

PC Peacock added: “ We continue to ask local residents to report any nuisance riders to us via 101 and we would like to hear from anyone who feel they can name, film or photograph riders, where possible, to help us build up a community intelligence picture of riders and locations so we can best apply our resources.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Peacock on 101, quoting 44170144849, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.