Police chiefs have set up a new dedicated team to crack down on "dangerous" quad bikers and motorbikers across the Bradford district.

And the team has got off to a positive start, seizing five bikes, making two arrests and handing out a number of warnings in its first week of operation.

The anti-bike nuisance team was set up by Bradford Police following a string of complaints from residents and alarming incidents involving off road bikes.

The most serious happened on the Bierley estate in April when a 51-year-old grandmother was badly injured when she was hit by a quad bike as she waited at a bus stop with her grandson.

The woman is thought to have shoved the pram, with her seven-month-old grandson in it, out of the way of the bike. Her arm was broken in 27 places.

The rider was also seriously injured but has been discharged from hospital and has been reported for summons on allegations of dangerous driving and having no insurance.

In a separate incident, last month Matthew McDonald, 21, of Thorpe Edge, was given a suspended prison sentence for his "idiot" riding of an off road trials bike, which included riding on the pavement, darting in and out of parked vehicles and performing wheelies.

The new team, as well as responding to calls, works closely with Bradford Council and social housing provider Incommunities to take action against repeat offenders, or those found to be storing bikes which have been used in an anti-social manner.

A phone number and email address have been set up for people to submit details anonymously of suspected nuisance riders, and where bikes are being kept.

Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour Together Week begins in Bradford today, with a week of activities addressing issues of anti-social behaviour and low level crime.

Throughout the week leaflets will be circulated to highlight the action which could be taken against those using motorbikes and quad bikes anti-socially, or those who are keeping such machines on their properties.

Chief Inspector Damien Miller, of Bradford District Police, said: "This team is tackling Bradford's nuisance riders, and taking action against those who store these bikes at their properties.

"Those found to be using bikes to cause a nuisance or riding them in a dangerous manner can expect to have them seized. Repeat offenders will face further action, which could lead to anti-social behaviour orders or custodial sentences.

"People keeping these bikes on their premises could also face police action, with those who live in rented properties at risk of losing their tenancy.

"We will do all we can to tackle the nuisance use of bikes and quad bikes in Bradford, but we need people to give us any information they have on who might be riding these machines and where they might be stored."

Karen Lee, director of Incommunities, said: “We are committed to working together with the Police and the Council to tackle the anti-social use of quad bikes and motorbikes."

Councillor Imran Hussain, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “Those using these bikes in an anti-social way are posing a danger to themselves and other people, as well as causing a nuisance to local residents and businesses. I hope this clampdown will help to tackle the problem.”

Mark Burns Williamson, the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire, said: “Anti-social behaviour can make people’s lives a misery and this initiative should serve as a warning to those causing problems for people in their communities."

To pass information to the team, call 01274 373968 or email Bradforddistrictasbbiketeam@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk