OFF-ROAD bikers racing round the streets of Widnes are putting lives at risk, warn the police.

Scramblers wearing balaclavas have been terrorising people on roads and pavements.

Youths riding in gangs have been seen driving dangerously at speed around various parts of the town.

Widnes police is running various operations to clamp down on the illegal riders.

Two bikes were seized at the weekend, including a white transit van and bike and a number of arrests were made.

Both vehicles had no insurance.

Residents have reported a spate of sightings.

Paul O’Connor said: “Saw a load of them all wheelying down Ditton Road at the junction of Hale Road.

“None of them wearing helmets, no number plates taking up the whole road. Matter of time before one of them gets knocked over.”

Debbie Pennington added: “They are always around Lower House Lane. With skull masks covering their faces and doing wheelies.”

Sharon Feeney said: “I saw them in Dundalk Road going into Hale Road going through red lights and not a care in the world driving on the wrong side of the road towards you at speed.”

Julie Hatton added: “They went straight through a red light at the junction of the Fellowship Centre coming down Birchfield Road.”

Widnes Inspector Ian Whiley said: “This is something we take very seriously.

“There is a total disregard to safety to the public by these riders by their dangerous driving.

“Those who drive off-road bikes need to be mindful that they are committing a criminal offence.

“Many have no insurance and no licence.”

Many of the bikes, he said, are stolen and police suspect they are being transported into Widnes in vans.

Scramblers have been seen on Johnsons Lane, Barrows Green Lane, Mossbank, Tanhouse Lane and Pex Hill.

Insp Whiley added: “We need the public to call us with any information in relation to the riders of these bikes or the location where they are being stored.”

Anyone with information can call Cheshire Police on 101.