The only legal place to ride is on private land with written consent

Tayside Police have launched a clampdown on the machines after a rise in the number of complaints.

Officers said speeding youths were a "danger to themselves" as well as to pedestrians and other road users.

They have urged parents not to let their children use the bikes illegally, and to reconsider buying them in the first place.

Leaflets about the bikes are being distributed in the Downfield and Longhaugh areas of Dundee, which have problems with youngsters riding in parks and streets.

Private land

Sgt Steve Main said: "Many of them are riding these motor cycles without suitable protective headgear or statutory driving documents such as a driving licence, insurance and road tax.

"The only place where they can legally ride these motor cycles off road is on private land with the written consent of the landowner.

He said parents should not buy motorbikes, mini-motos or gopeds for their children unless they already had permission for off-road use.

He added: "For those people who continue to ride these motor cycles both on and off road which causes alarm, distress or annoyance to the public, the police will use all powers available to them to eradicate this problem.

"This will include riders and owners being dealt with under the road traffic act and their motor cycles being seized under powers granted by anti-social behaviour legislation."