The scooters are classified as motor vehicles by law

Officers in Pangbourne, Berkshire, say parents should also not allow youngsters to ride the scooters in public.

They say youngsters have angered residents by riding on pavements.

And, police add, many of the riders are breaking the law by taking the scooters - sometimes called gopeds - on pavements without meeting legal requirements.

In law, the scooters are classified as motor vehicles, which means they should not be on the road - including the pavement - unless the rider has a driving licence, insurance, road tax and a crash helmet.

Law-breaking 'unintentional'

It also means the riders can be breathalysed by police.

Sergeant Ian Henderson, of Pangbourne's community policing team, said: "I'm sure that the majority of people buying and riding these gopeds are simply unaware of the legislation and are not breaking the law purposefully.

"However, these rules are put in place for a reason - to safeguard both those riding them and other road-users from injury.

"I urge parents to act responsibly and to speak to their children to make sure they understand they should be riding these bikes in a way that will not upset other people and which is not breaking the law."