Police are taking unique steps to cut out the problem of trial bikes in Bradford - by crushing them.

Seized motorbikes which cannot be traced back to a legal owner will be destroyed as part of an initiative launched by Odsal police.

They decided to take the strong stance against the off-road vehicles because they are receiving about half-a-dozen calls a day from residents complaining about the vehicles.

Odsal police's community safety officer Inspector Paul Jeffrey said children as young as nine were riding unroadworthy and unsafe bikes at high speeds across recreation land in built-up areas.

He said they were not only causing noise and nuisance to residents, but risking serious accidents to themselves and members of the public.

"This is a huge problem," said Insp Jeffrey. "Usually riders are not qualified or insured and the bikes are dangerous and often stolen."

Although the riders have been dealt with in the past, Insp Jeffrey said the root cause of the problem was that the bikes stayed in circulation.

"But not any longer," he said. "Any bikes that we cannot identify will be subject to a disposal notice and will be crushed."

As well as losing their wheels, the riders could be disqualified from driving before they are old enough to face their test. The endorsements stay on file at the DVLC so when the riders apply for a licence they may find they have penalties or even a driving ban.

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