YOUNGSTERS could have their motorbikes seized if they continue to flout the law, police are warning.

Road traffic officers have been responding to complaints about off-road bikes making a noise and causing a general nuisance in Weymouth, West Bay and on Portland.

A bike was seized and another rider was officially warned about his behaviour during a clampdown on riders in the fields behind the Littlemoor estate in Weymouth.

Sergeant Dave Stroud of the road policing unit based at Dorchester said: "Illegal off-road motorcycling seems to be on the increase.

"Not only are these riders commtting an offence by riding their motorcycles in areas where they shouldn't but they are also endangering pedestrians, children playing, dog walkers, horse riders and of course themselves.

"Another concern is the damage the motorcycles are causing to public amenities and the effect it can have on wildlife and sometimes sites of specific scientific interest (SSSI)."

Sgt Stroud said powers under the Police Reform Act allow officers to warn riders and eventually seize vehicles that are persistently being driven in a careless or inconsiderate way that causes alarm, distress or annoyance.

To get the bike back the owner must produce valid insurance and pay a recovery charge of £105 plus a £12 per day storage fee within 14 days before the vehicle is disposed of.

Sgt Stroud is working with Littlemoor beat officer PC Dave Harrison to tackle the problem on the estate but he is also appealing for help from the community so he can identify the riders and warn them of the law before their bikes are seized.

Information about bikes and the law and recommended riding places can be found on the Dorset Police website: www.dorset.police.uk n SERGEANT Stroud is also warning moped riders to correctly display their L-plates.

He said: "In Weymouth there have been a number of learner moped and scooter riders stopped by police officers for not displaying plates.

"It is a condition of their provisional licence that the plates are displayed correctly on both the front and rear of the machines.

"Failing to comply with this condition can result in the rider being issued with a fixed penalty notice of £60 and three penalty points."