RIDERS of off-road motorcycles are causing havoc on footpaths and playing fields, according to angry residents.

They said they have spotted yobs on off-road bikes recklessly speeding, racing one another and performing wheelies on roads and pavements in Padiham.

Residents have raised concerns about people using the off-road motorbikes around areas including Padiham Greenway, where they have left tyre tracks.

And they have called for CCTV to address the problem amid fears that Padiham is becoming a ‘gateway for crime’.

One resident, Mr Johnson, who set-up Facebook group Padiham against crime and drugs, said: “Residents are concerned about people using off-road motorbikes in an anti-social way in areas including Greenway and across Padiham.

“These motorbikes are recklessly speeding, racing one another and performing wheelies on roads and pavements and causing havoc.

“The Greenway and Padiham as a whole is becoming a gateway for crime, as you get people dropping off drugs and everything.

“There needs to be more CCTV in Padiham as there is none on the Greenway and only five in the town centre which date back to the 1990s.

Another resident, who preferred not to be named, said he feared a child or family pet could be hurt or killed if the problem isn’t addressed.

He said: “CCTV is needed throughout Padiham and law enforcement to make our town safe for all.

“These motorbikes on Greenway are unsafe and cause a lot of problems with noise.

“They need stopping before someone’s child or family pet is hit.”

Cllr Ken Buckley, mayor of Padiham Town Council, said that ‘police were on the case and patrols were being stepped up’.

He said: “This matter got brought up at the town council meeting last night by Councillor Alan Hosker where there were also police present.

“There have been a few incidents of people on motorbikes in Fennyfold playing fields and Greenway.

“The police are on the case and patrols are being stepped up.”

Lancashire Police said they had received three separate reports of nuisance off-road bikers on Sunday (January 14).

One incident saw a biker go into the woods in Burnley Road, Hapton at 12.10pm, while another reported seeing several off-road bikers going down the roads and footpaths in St John’s Road in Padiham at 2pm.

Shortly after, the same group were reported riding bikes on land off Grove Lane, Padiham.