PETROL stations have signed up to cut the fuel line for motorbike menaces by preventing young teenagers filling cans.

Seventy-five per cent of filling stations across Middlesbrough had agreed to a ban on sales to under-16s, hours before the initiative was officially launched yesterday.

In an average six-month period Cleveland Police receive 1,100 calls about anti-social behaviour involving motorbikes.

There were 241 incidents of arson involving motor vehicles on Teesside, between April 1 and May 20.

The Responsible Petrol Retailer Scheme, drawn up by Middlesbrough Council's trading standards department and Cleveland Police, aims to cut the link between petrol sales, anti-social behaviour and motorbike nuisance.

Garages signing up to the strategy agree not sell petrol to under-16s.

In addition, they will not supply fuel to anyone, irrespective of age, if it is not put into a legally approved container.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, the council's executive member for community safety and leisure, said: "Motorbike nuisance is a blight on our society and needs to be tackled."

Forty-five motorcyclists were given a final warning that next time they are stopped, their machines would be crushed, during July, August and September, last year.

The figure for the same period this year rose to 85.

Twenty motorbikes were seized and crushed last summer, 44 went into the compactor, this summer.

PC Gary Cookland, of Cleveland Police, said: "If they don't have the petrol, they can't use the bikes. If we can get garages on board - and we have 75 per cent of them in Middlesbrough signing up to the scheme - this is what we want to do.

"We are not naive to think they can only get their petrol from a forecourt. But if we can stop 90 per cent of them walking on to a forecourt with an empty bottle, filling it and walking off again, that is what we can do. We are going to take further action.''

The initiative also means any motorcycle rider who arrives on a forecourt not wearing a helmet, or without licence plates, will not be sold petrol.

Other garages interested in joining the Responsible Petrol Retailer scheme or wanting more details should contact Middlesbrough Council Trading Standards on 01642-728231.