TWENTY-eight people have been arrested and 35 bikes seized as part of a police crackdown on scrambler and quad bikes.

Operation Brookdale was officially launched on July 1 and involves officers from across Merseyside targeting areas where communities are suffering from the illegal and anti-social use of the machines.

Particular attention is being paid to roads, parkland and other open areas which people have told officers are "hot-spots" for the problem.

So far a total of 56 warnings have been issued following riders using bikes in a careless or anti-social manner.

Of the 35 seized bikes, 30 are believed to have been stolen and the remaining five in connection with insurance and licence offences, or because they have been used in an anti-social manner.

Chief Inspector John Hogan, Matrix Serious Organised Crime Roads Policing Unit, said: "This operation is once again proving to be a big success, with nearly 40 scrambler bikes being used dangerously already off our roads and 28 people arrested in connection with illegal or anti-social use.

"Merseyside Police will use every power it has available to target irresponsible drivers and to take illegal machines off the streets.

"Our communities consistently tell us that this problem is something they are really worried about and the results of the operation so far are tangible proof that we are listening and we are determined to make the roads of Merseyside a safer place for all.

"I would  like to take this opportunity to reassure people that we will act upon all the information that we receive.

"The operation has already prompted lots of people to get in touch to tell us about hotspots for illegal scrambler bikes in their area and I would urge people to carry on doing that."

To report anti-social use of the bikes in your area, call the police non-urgent number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Chief Insp Hogan added: "All information will be fed into the operation and will allow us to continue to build on the successes we have had to date and stop the illegal and anti-social use of scrambler and quad bikes blighting the lives of local people."