POLICE have stepped up a crackdown on yobs riding motorcycles illegally and anti-socially by teaming up with other organisations in Basingstoke.

Operation Kickstart - which was launched in the worst-hit Popley and Oakridge areas last week - means beat officers, community wardens, Sentinel Housing Group, Basingstoke council and the Forestry Commission will pool information about nuisance riders on roads, footpaths, wooded areas and public spaces.

It is hoped the shared knowledge will help the police to identify the culprits using machines such as mopeds and mini motor bikes. They will be visited and warned that they will have their bikes impounded if they continue.

Popley beat officer Pc Matt Deery said: "This is a big problem which causes a lot of complaints. At times, we have had 20 to 30 each week in these areas.

"Nuisance riding is dangerous as these bikes are being ridden on paths and open spaces where children are playing, and it also causes problems with noise. If you are getting fed-up with this, please come forward and give us information."

Anyone with an immediate problem with nuisance riders should call the police, but those with background information can ring the community wardens - anonymously if they wish.

Popley West borough councillor Jane Frankum backed the initiative. She said: "There was an accident a few weeks ago where an 11-year-old boy was knocked over and had to go to hospital. When these people go to open spaces in the area, all the people who have gone to enjoy the facilities leave.

"Operation Kickstart is the right approach but we need the help of the community to tackle this.

"We have got to stand up and say 'this is not acceptable'."

Beth Holmyard, Sentinel Housing neighbourhood co-ordinator, said being caught for nuisance riding could have further implications for Sentinel residents.

"In cases where our tenants are repeatedly behaving anti-socially, action will be taken against them for breach of tenancy which can result in eviction," she said.

Community wardens co-ordinator Nicky Hutchins said: "This initiative is all about residents doing their bit, together with the necessary agencies, to make their communities safer and to stop anti-social behaviour."

Operation Kickstart is part of a borough-wide police crackdown through which officers are impounding bikes used in an anti-social manner. Owners must pay a minimum fee of £112 for their return.

Contact Basingstoke police on 0845 045 45 45, or the community wardens on 01256 845 508.

First published: Friday, May 13, 2005