POLICE said they are 'working tirelessly' to clamp down on 'reckless' bikers on Walney Island.

Officers from Barrow Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) are encouraging residents to get in touch with information relating to off-road bikes being ridden the island.

The manner of driving has included riding on public green spaces, pavements, and roads- often without registration plates being displayed, without protective helmets and wearing balaclavas, said police.

Officers received a report of an off-road bike being ridden on Mill Lane Skate Park on Walney on Wednesday.

PC Rich Herron said: “We would like to reassure residents that we have been working tirelessly with partner agencies and residents on Walney to tackle the concerns raised and we have had some success in seizing some of these bikes. However, we need support and information from the public to assist us further in our investigations.

“Driving these bikes in this manner is not only reckless but is dangerous to members of the local community.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed similar incidents, has any information relating to recent incidents or has information concerning the suspect/s.”

Inspector Damien Mottram added: "Off-road bikes is a really big focal point. We are looking at the use of different policing powers to be able to try and tackle that.

"Kids with no helmets on tearing around the street is a very difficult thing to deal with then and there so in reality we need to look at preventative approaches and we need to look at following up afterwards."

David Allen, Cumbria'a Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: "Kids are wearing balaclavas and it's intimidating. 

"How we deal with that is we reach out to the public - if anybody knows where somebody's got one of these then talk to us, tell us and we'll deal with it.

"Catching them in the act is difficult because these things are like greased lightning but if we have intelligence we'll track them down and we'll take them off people and we've done that."

Anyone with any information can report online via www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it . You can also call 101.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.