THE police are being urged to take stronger action against off-road motorbikers.

Residents and Redcar and Cleveland borough councillors say the motorbikes blight the lives of local people, particularly in the Redcar area. They also pose a danger to children, especially when driven at speed along pavements and roads.

The problems are said to be particularly bad in Redcar on housing estates and along the Stray area, and also on the Overfields Estate at Ormesby, near Middlesbrough.

Opposition labour leader George Dunning said: "These off-road motorbikers invariably have no road fund licence or insurance.

"On the Overfields Estate an off-road motorbiker created noise and danger to residents for three consecutive nights over the bank holiday period.

"We want the police to put more resources into catching off-road motorbikers, some of which may be known to them."

Coun Mark Hannon said: "Redcar is fast becoming one of the worst areas on Teesside for these off-road motorbikers.

"They are not just going in and around housing estates but are seen going along the Stray area of Redcar."

A police spokeswoman said there had not been any evidence to identify the Stray at Redcar as a hot spot at the moment but said it was imperative that people informed the police about any problems.

She said: "We respond to reports of nuisance motorcycles throughout the area by analysing the calls and identifying hot spot areas.

"The Stray is on the regular patrols of police officers and police community support officers and they will deal with any off-road motorcylists. But we need the public to report incidents in order to tackle them."

Anyone with information should call (01642) 326326.