Warning on monkey bike craze

"Don't let your children have these bikes in public places" said Inspector Dick Coates.

He says it is the "worst job in the world" to have to tell a relative that someone has been killed in an accident.

Last week he warned via the Observer that police now have powers to seize and impound vehicles being used irresponsibly.

He vowed to take action after complaints that youngsters are using the 30mph machines - known as monkey bikes - on the sea wall promenade beneath South Cliff. The third scale bikes cost around 300 and are classed as mopeds.

This week he said: "Mini-motor bikes seem to be the new craze in Bexhill and other towns and villages.

"They are not only a danger to the riders who are often young and not wearing any protective headgear, but also to innocent pedestrians and car drivers.

"All riders must have a licence and insurance and wear head protection. You cannot ride on the pavement or promenade.

"Anyone who does not have the correct documents will find themselves up before the local Magistrates Court to explain why.

"They may also lose there licence before they are even old enough to have one.

"Police officers have the power to confiscate bikes in certain circumstances. If they are being ridden without documents and on pavements etc then this power applies. All my officers have been briefed on this and they will take action against those who flout the law.

"It will cost around 120 to get the bike back plus any costs the court may impose if you are not insured.

"My advice to parents is simple. Do not let your children have these bikes in public places. It is legal for them to ride them on private land with the landowners permission.

"Let's keep everyone in Bexhill safe. It is the worst job in the world to tell someone that a relative, son or daughter has died after an accident."

* GETTING caught riding a "monkey bike" in a public place is far from monkey business, as 18-year-old Aaron Malone swiftly found.

Aaron says ruefully: "I was riding mine along the footpath beside Bexhill Road, St Leonards when the police stopped me.

"I didn't think I would get in trouble about it - at least, not that much..."

But Aaron soon found the real cost of riding what is strictly an off-road machine on the road.

"They threw the book at me. I was done for no lights, no insurance, no tax, no L plates, no registration document, riding on a pavement

"I got 200 in fines and six points on my licence. That means that I can now only get insurance for a motor scooter.

"The court would have taken my licence away only I explained that I needed my scooter to get to work."

Aaron has a message for other mini-bike owners: "Don't do what I did. They are only for use off-road."

Aaron's mini-bike cost him 800. It was great fun. But he says: "I've sold it now!"