‘WE ARE not vigilantes – we’re a group of people helping to recover stolen bikes within the realms of the law.’

That’s the message from community group Stolen Motorcycles Southampton (SMS), an organisation that says it is “dedicated to the sharing of knowledge regarding thefts of motorcycles or suspicious activities which may lead to the theft or criminal damage of motorcycles in the Southampton area”.

Yesterday, the Daily Echo reported that groups of residents had taken it upon themselves to try and rid the streets of rogue bikers who have been causing a nuisance at locations across the city.

And a spokesperson for the group, which has more than 1,000 online members, has said the volunteers who take to the streets to recover stolen bikes do not approach people riding them.

They said: “If other people are going out and trying these types of things where they chase the bikers, it is not something we are aware of.

“We are working within the law to recover the bikes and report everything we do back to the police to help them.

“Often members of our group go out at night and during the day to popular spots where stolen bikes are abandoned and try and find the owners so they can have their bikes back.”

They added: “We’re just a stolen motorcycle group. We’re not vigilantes going out and wearing balaclavas, causing harm.”

The group said since operating in 2015, it had recovered more than 300 bikes. It also urged members of the public to report any incidents they see to the police immediately.

SMS said signs to look out for include riding motorbikes without helmets, two people riding a bike with ‘L’ plates on it, going around without lights or without number plates.

PC Simon Peacock, from Southampton West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said locals play an important part in bringing those involved to justice. Action has been bought against four more individuals since January, police said.