POLICE are carrying out a three-day crackdown on motorcycle menaces plaguing estates in Southampton.

A team of officers have spent the weekend targeting known hotspots across the city where residents claim speeding riders are recklessly putting lives at risk.

Patrols were carried out across Lordshill, Lordswood, Aldermoor and Coxford where residents complain to police almost daily about the moped and motorcycle riders on footpaths, playing fields and woodland.

The operation, led by the Coxford Safer Neighbourhood Team and which comes to an end today, comes ahead of a public meeting with residents this week to discuss the problem.

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Sgt Mark Brearley, of Coxford Safer Neighbourhood Team, who is co-ordinating the operation, said: “It’s a big problem that we are taking seriously because of the potentially catastrophic consequences for the rider and pedestrians.”

In the last year the Coxford team seized 55 machines after receiving more than 300 calls about the problem.

But Sgt Brearley added that catching the culprits is not easy. Officers cannot chase suspects on roads because of safety fears and have to use video cameras and community-based intelligence to swoop on the riders, many of whom are unlicensed and uninsured. The Daily Echo joined the operation and spoke with Andy Lewis, club secretary for Southside AFC Under 11s, on Saturday morning while he coached his team on the Five Acres Field, in Lordshill.

He told how yobs on motorcycles regularly target the area. “These people are just idiots. It’s dangerous because this is a recreational area. They know the area but they don’t care.”

As well as playing fields and footpaths, wooded areas are frequently invaded. Jenny Lord, 39, from Lordshill, who was walking in Lords Wood, said: “It is a real problem here, they just have no respect. My dogs have nearly been hit.”

Another walker, Nigel Olding, 43, from Shirley, said he has found burnt-out bikes in the woods.

He said: “They congregate here, sometimes they slow down when they see you – sometimes they don’t”

As well as checking hotspots, leaflets were distributed warning against nuisance riding and appealing for help.

n A public meeting will take place at Lordshill Church, Lordshill District Centre, this Friday at 7pm. Anyone with information can call Shirley Police Station on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.