A CALL has been made for a crackdown on the new craze of micro-scooters after it was revealed a legal loophole means they cannot be banned from pedestrian precincts.

Youngsters with scooters and on in-line skates are causing anger among pedestrians and shopkeepers by speeding along a Hampshire town pedestrian precinct, even though cyclists are banned.

Police have conducted a high-profile campaign against riders on Fareham's West Street since before Christmas, after most cyclists said they were unaware of a ban.

But youngsters on micro-scooters and in-line skates are increasing the dangers to shoppers.

The scooter-users are not only treating the precinct as a playground, but have been terrorising shop staff and customers by speeding through the indoor Fareham Shopping Centre and inside shops.

Police are powerless to stop scooters and in-line skaters or skateboarders because they were invented after the law on cyclists was drawn up. An alternative sanction is to impose a by-law from local authorities.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: "We are doing our best to raise awareness to cyclists of the danger they present and of the reality of our intention to fine riders before they injure someone.''

Fareham councillor Peter Maunder said: "I would support a by-law, if that is the only way this issue can be addressed. It's very worrying that these micro-scooter riders are in shops themselves.''

Fareham Road Safety Association chairman Ruth Godrich added: "These scooters are a menace. I was in Marks and Spencer when I was nearly knocked over by a kid zooming rounds the aisles. I couldn't believe it. I'll be raising the idea of by-laws or whatever else it takes to deal with this.''

Roger Vincent, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, advised owners of in-line skates and scooters not to use them on the road or pavement, following the deaths of two children last year.