Residents distressed by motorbike mayhem

GANGS of young people riding motorbikes across Cardiff in the dead of night have been described as “incredibly dangerous”.

Residents across the city have complained about off-road vehicles being used in many of Cardiff’s parks this summer.

Police are confiscating and even destroying some of the bikes after catching the youngsters driving across some of Cardiff’s green spaces at high speeds.

In total, 36 motorbikes and quad bikes have been seized in joint operations by the police and council since May 2017, with most of them being crushed.

But people have said the issue has got worse over recent months.

Nerys Lloyd-Pierce, who chairs Cardiff Civic Society, wrote to the council expressing her concerns about the number of off-road motorbikes being ridden across Pontcanna and Llandaff Fields.

She said: “Their focus is not on other park users – it’s an accident waiting to happen. It’s lovely to have that park as somewhere to have some peace and quiet and not have to worry about being flattened by a motorcycle.”

Hilary Brookes, who also lives near Pontcanna Fields, said the bikes are typically racing across the field after midnight.

She said: “We would like to appeal to the youngsters to have a bit more consideration. We would quite like to get some sleep. I’m afraid someone will get hurt.”

The council and police have been targeting the issue of nuisance motorbike riding across Cardiff through Operation Red Mana.

Since May 2017, 16 motorbikes have been confiscated in Roath.

Another eight have been seized in Fairwater, while seven have been confiscated in Cardiff Bay.