POLICE are warning nuisance moped riders that they will seize their bikes.

Yate and Chipping Sodbury residents are becoming increasingly concerned about mopeds and motorbikes being raced in streets and ridden on pavements.

They are also being raced on footpaths late at night.

The anti-social behaviour has resulted in a number of complaints to Avon and Somerset Police and the local councils.

Comments on the Focus on Sodbury, Yate and Doddington Facebook page call for volunteers to use speed guns to gather evidence.

Police confirmed they have received around a dozen reports of nuisance mopeds and cars over the last two weeks

Patrolling officers have also twice attended the car park at Yate Leisure Centre following complaints of small groups of boy racers gathering and revving engines.

Police confirmed there have been calls about mopeds and off-road motorbikes being used on footpaths, cycle paths and parks, in Lye Park Field and Kingsgate Park.

Yate Neighbourhood Sergeant Terry Murphy said: “I would always urge people to report anti-social vehicle use as it happens.

“We recognise the impact the noise has on our community and the potential for accident and injury.

“I’d take this opportunity to remind drivers and riders that if we’ve warned them once about nuisance behaviour we can seize their vehicle the next time they come to notice.

“I also want parents and carers to be aware - at least one of these reports involved a teenager riding a motorbike without a helmet, putting himself at risk of serious injury.”

MP Luke Hall said: “We have raised this consistently with police, and I will continue to push to make sure South Gloucestershire gets our fair share of policing resources.

“Tackling speeding and antisocial behaviour must be a top priority.”