THE safety of young children is being put at risk by motorcycle riders carrying them around public parks on the petrol tanks of their bikes.

This photograph, of a youth and a young boy of about six, neither of whom are wearing helmets, was taken by a concerned resident on Monday afternoon in Hundens Park, Darlington.

Councillor Ian Haszeldine, who represents Lingfield, says he has hundreds of similar photos from other residents.

He says youngsters are risking their own safety and that of others by recklessly riding bikes - as well as disturbing residents and damaging public property.

Similar problems have been reported in South Park, Snipe Lane, and Branksome.

Police have warned anyone caught could have their bikes confiscated and crushed.

Coun Haszeldine said: "We have had problems with illegal motorbikes round the back of The Broadway for years.

"They are putting their lives at risk. That young lad sitting on the petrol tank - what chance does he have if anything went wrong? He is on grass, but still would be at risk if he came off.

"Then there is the issues of the noise, and of the criminal damage to the park. When it's wet, the grass really gets churned up.

"There is also a public safety issue. A couple of weeks ago, they rode around football pitches while people were playing."

Coun Haszeldine said the situation has improved in the past two years - but he still receives two or three complaints a week.

"The police and wardens do their best, and the wardens have spoken to several young people in relation to that," he said.

"The difficulty is catching them."

Riding motorbikes on any public land in Darlington borough is against the law.

Anyone caught by council wardens can be fined £500, or have their details forwarded to police.

There have been 31 final warnings issued by Durham Police's motorcycle section in Darlington this year, with four bikes confiscated.

Inspector Brian Maudling said: "The basic offence is riding somewhere other than a road, but it could escalate. Someone could be riding recklessly, or drink-driving, for example.

"Once someone has been warned, we could take the bike away and scrap it - I know we have seized quite a few, but it's difficult to apprehend these people.

"It's a common problem in Darlington, but it's also a common problem across the country.