YOUNGSTERS on motorbikes are putting passengers at risk in the waiting area of a bus station, according to a councillor.

The young bikers are alarming passengers by revving their way through the narrow passenger waiting areas at Harrogate bus station, in Station Parade.

The issue has been raised with Chief Inspector Richard Spedding, who heads the Harrogate area police operation.

Councillor Shirley Fawcett, a member of Harrogate Borough Council, said: "It was about 7.30pm when I saw the motorbikes being ridden through the waiting area.

"I couldn't believe what was happening at first.

"When I mentioned it to a member of staff, he told me it was a nuisance which had been happening for some time.

"The seven riders involved had no thought for the safety of people who were waiting for buses, which is what the area is for."

Coun Fawcett said that if the anti-social behaviour continued, she feared a serious accident.

She said: "I was frightened by what was happening when so many people were involved in riding the motorbikes in what was a totally unexpected place for such behaviour.

"You don't expect that to happen when you're waiting for a bus in a covered bus station."

The issue was raised at a meeting of police chiefs and Harrogate Borough Councillors.

Chief Insp Spedding said the police gave high priority to dealing with such unacceptable behaviour and agreed to take up the issue.