A POLICE team has run out of patience with irresponsible bikers and launched a zero-tolerance campaign to rid the streets of nuisance vehicles.

For five months, police in Newton Aycliffe have been issuing warnings to people found riding motorbikes in a dangerous and illegal manner.

But as bikers have continued to ignore the cautions, police say they will now arrest anyone found riding in an unauthorised area or in an anti-social way.

The crackdown comes after months of high visibility patrols in hotspots, such as Williamfield Way and Kemble Green, which have failed to stamp out the problem.

In a weekend operation in April, about a dozen caution notices were issued and six bikes seized because they were not roadworthy or insured.

Many vehicles, including mini-motorcycles, have been driven off-road on grassed areas and on footpaths in and around the town.

Acting Sergeant David McKenna said: "Issuing notices has got the message through to some people, but in Newton Aycliffe we are still getting lots of complaints, of mini-motorbikes in particular.

"Being uninsured is a major problem, when a youngster buys a bike on the Internet for £100 or £150 the legal requirements aren't advertised.

"Irresponsible riders have to understand we are taking this seriously and will now arrest them, report any offences with a view to prosecution and seize bikes to be used as evidence."

Acting Sgt McKenna said some young riders have been taking risks on the bikes believing that if they are caught they will escape with a caution.

He said: "One of the first riders stopped under the new regime, a 14-year-old boy, thought he could not be arrested on the first occasion as his friend had been issued with a warning notice earlier.

"But across the town we have a uniformed approach to arrest offenders immediately.

"Making the town safe is our main priority. These bikes are often ridden at 40mph on footpaths, which is not only a nuisance, but is obviously very dangerous, we want to nip this in the bud before an accident happens.