RESIDENTS plagued by antisocial motorbike riders have been racing across recreation grounds have said their concerns are being ignored by the police.

Riders, including children and often not wearing helmets, have been spotted riding around the green spaces at the gateway to the South Downs between Portslade and Southwick including Kings School playing fields and Southwick Hill Recreation Ground.

Neighbour John Dudmesh said he had seen a young child - aged about seven - on the back of one of the bikes and had been threatened when he filmed one of the men on his mobile phone, whilst walking his dog on Monday evening.

But despite contacting the police on multiple occassions he said he had received no response.

Mr Dudmesh said: "The father was giving his young son (no more than about 7 years old) a lift on the back of his motorcycle and they were towing a small quad bike.

"Neither were wearing helmets. I spoke to the father and he quickly started becoming abusive.

"When I stopped filming he told me 'he knew where I lived' with the clear intention of threatening and intimidating me.

"This has got to stop. Not only is their behaviour threatening and aggressive but dangerous both for walkers, their children and their dogs.

"These people are riding at speed along footpaths where dogs and children can appear unexpectedly.

"Moreover if the riders fall off they will do themselves serious injury with no safety cover.

"I have witnessed riders, with no helmets, doing wheelies and doughnuts on the playing field.

"It can hardly be considered sensible parenting putting a young child on the back of a motorbike in near darkness without a helmet while towing another vehicle."

On Tuesday evening he saw bikles again in The Rise - off Monarch's View Portslade.

Mr Dudmesh said: "No number plates, so no tax or insurance yet they're riding on public roads to get there. Also, judging by the tyre tracks on the grass it looks like someone has been blasting up and down The Rise (off Monarchs View) on a quad bike today."

He told The Argus he had contacted the police on July 10, Monday and Tuesday nights this week.

On other occasions he has been left waiting in a queue trying to call the police non-emergency number 101 so long, he has given up.

He said: "It's another prime example of community policing in Brighton and Hove. There's never any officers about and nothing gets done."

The Argus understands several other members of the public as well as staff from Kings School had contacted police about the motorbikes.

On Tuesday Sussex Police said tackling antisocial riders was a priority for the force. 

Males aged 16 to 25 are among those most at risk of being injured or killed on our roads

PC Jon Bennion-Jones, of the Arundel Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are having problems with 50cc and 125cc bike riders and we will deal with any offences robustly.

“These inexperienced road users are putting themselves and others at risk, and we would urge members of the public to report antisocial riders.”