West Yorkshire Police are working in conjunction with partner agencies in an attempt to stem the growing number of incidents where youths have been spotted riding unroadworthy bikes around the Little London, Woodhouse and Hyde Park areas of Leeds.

After seizing a number of motorcycles, the neighbourhood policing team (NPT) spoke to young people from the locale and found that they were interested in changing their ways.

Inspector Richard Coldwell, who heads the NPT, said: "Whilst the children feel that they have nothing to do, local residents cannot be put at risk to provide their entertainment.

"We have worked closely with the youths to get them to agree to hand over any other illegal motorcycles. In return we will provide special training to ensure that they learn to respect the power of a motorbike and the need to ride safely."

Partner agencies, such as local housing providers, are funding training for youths at BUMPY Motorcycle Centre in Birstall for those selected by the police as having helped tackle the anti-social use of the vehicles, even if they were amongst those riding with no licence or motor insurance .

Earlier this month, action was taken by police in Stavely to clamp down on the number of illegal motorcycles being ridden around the area by visiting the homes of named offenders.

This is cache, read story here