‘Dangerous cyclists’ to get a visit from police

YOUTHS whose dangerous cycling antics are putting lives at risk have been warned to expect a visit from the police.

The teenagers have been accused of pulling wheelies while riding at oncoming traffic, before swerving out of the way at the last moment.

Police in Hinckley posted a photograph of the group on Facebook last week with a stern warning that action was going to be taken against them – initially, by getting them into hot water with their parents.

The photograph, which has been doctored to protect the kids’ identities, appears to show them riding at traffic in Station Road.

Its publication generated a number of reports of the group playing the same game in other parts of the town.

In a message posted alongside the picture, Hinckley police said: “So, Christmas has been and the children have had their new bikes from Santa.

“They want to show them off to their friends.

“Well this is not quite the right way and is an offence under section 7 of the Roads Traffic Act 1991.

“Luckily, as local officers, we know the majority of their names – and those we don’t we will be able to find.

“So don’t worry kids, we will be visiting very soon to look at your new bikes and to tell your parents about how well you have shown them off – by putting other road users in danger with potential devastating consequences.”

Responding to the post, one person said: “Maybe confiscate their bikes and make them attend an awareness class.

“It’s the poor driver that actually hits one of them that I would feel sorry for.”

Another said: “We all know who the parents will blame if they end up getting knocked off their bike and injured and they won’t believe that their little darling was in the wrong in any way, shape or form.”