Residents are calling for more action to halt the plague of gangs using off-road motorbikes on streets in parts of Bradford – a situation they say is spiralling out of control.

One man contacted the Telegraph & Argus over what he described as a growing issue with gangs of youths riding off-road bikes and quads recklessly through residential streets in Idle and Thackley.

Another said they were not just nuisance motorcyclists but dangerou,s and have already caused at least two road accidents.

Their calls for more action were backed by a senior Bradford councillor who warned that without it someone would end up getting seriously injured.

The T&A reported in February how groups of uninsured and illegal riders, without helmets, had been causing a nuisance on the Thorpe Edge estate and surrounding areas for six months on off-road scrambling bikes.

A motorist was left with a £150 bill after one of them ran into the back of his car. At the time the police said they were aware of the problem and had been working to gather information in order to arrest those responsible.

But residents now believe the situation is steadily getting worse.

A man, who did not want to identified, said: “This issue is growing out of control and a number of residents are getting increasingly frustrated with the apparent lack of action by the police who are seemingly unable to give chase ‘for safety reasons’.

“The gang seems to now feel that they are untouchable and are becoming more reckless and brazen by the day.

“The bikes are being ridden at high speed, often two and three abreast and pulling wheelies and other dangerous stunts.”

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Idle and Thackley), who heads the Council’s Liberal Democrats group, said: “The situation is continuing to get worse. These riders are behaving badly – it’s the noise and the nuisance.

“You can’t have young people taking the law into their own hands – somebody will get hurt.”

Inspector David Collyer, who leads the Eccleshill Neighbourhood Policing Team, said police were taking action.

“We are working with the community and our partners to take action against those responsible,” said Insp Collyer.

“Since the start of this year, we have seized five of these machines through excellent information provided to the police by our communities. Ten warnings have also been issued to people regarding their use. “I would again like to remind people that anyone found using one of these machines illegally or riding it dangerously faces having it confiscated and possibly destroyed, as well as a fine and a possible prison sentence. I would also like to appeal to our communities to report any information to police on 101 or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”