Illegal motorcycling at Angus tourist spots has prompted a police crackdown.
Reports of dangerous incidents where bikers have torn up public parks on mini, midi and off-road motorbikes have been flooding in to police in recent weeks.
Roads policing officers are investigating complaints in the Forfar to Lunanhead area, Lochside Caravan Park in Forfar and at Arbroath’s Victoria Park.
The force yesterday sent out a stark warning that nuisance behaviour presenting a serious risk to pedestrians and road users will not be tolerated.
A spokesman said: “Police Scotland makes full use of anti-social and road traffic legislation to seize motorcycles that are being used illegally. Many of those seized are subsequently dismantled and crushed.
“Those involved often don’t wear appropriate headgear and protective equipment and often don’t have the documents for the vehicle. It is not uncommon for the motorcycles to be stolen and many are unregistered.
“Powers granted under road traffic and anti-social behaviour legislation allow the police to seize vehicles including motorcycles and mini motos where they have been driven without licence or insurance, or where they have been used in an anti-social manner.”
A seized vehicle will only be returned once the owner has paid a £105 recovery fee plus the £12 per day storage cost and after 28 days, it can be crushed.
Mini and midi motos cannot be legally driven on the road, pavements, grass verges or central reservations and anybody doing so is liable for prosecution. They can only be used on private land with the owner’s consent.
The force spokesman added: “Stolen bikes are involved in many of the illegal or anti-social incidents reported to police in Tayside.
“If owners can ensure that their bikes are as secure as they can be, we can reduce the chances of them being stolen and being used illegally and dangerously.”
Anyone with information on where motorbikes are being used illegally or stored, or who is using them, should call police on 101, or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.