Police seize off-road bike being ridden by a lone seven-year-old

Police have had to confiscate a child’s Christmas present after they were found illegally riding it on the roads.

Merseyside Police were called over an off-road bike being driven illegally and erratically on the road in Huyton on New Year’s Eve.

When officers arrived, they realised the bike was being driven by a seven-year-old child, who was on their own.

The child told officers that the bike was a Christmas present – but it’s now been seized as it’s illegal for scramblers to be ridden on the road.

Parents who let their children ride scramblers or quad bikes in public places could face prosecution.

Brian Loughran, the Knowsley Targeted Inspector, said: ‘It is really worrying that a seven-year-old was riding this vehicle on the roads, it is illegal for a scrambler to be driven on the road, but to let a child take to the roads presents a danger to their safety and the safety of others.

‘We’ve seized the scrambler bike from today’s incident in line with Operation Brookdale protocols and we will continue to seize scrambler bikes that are being ridden dangerously, or illegally.

‘We don’t want to be taking kids’ Christmas presents off them – but we’d rather be taking their bikes off the roads than taking them to hospital. Or worse.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.