POLICE have launched a crackdown on children racing motorbikes on a council-owned playing field.

Residents are furious with the youngsters for causing havoc on the land off Ramsons Close, Malvern, in recent months.

However one local mum has defended the kids and said her own children used 'mini motos' on the field.

She said: "They are not hurting anyone.

"I don't see what the kids are doing wrong. I'd rather my kids play on motorbikes on the field than go out and do drugs."

The mother added that those who were angry with the children were all old.

She said: "They should go and live where there are no youngsters. This estate is full of kids."

But local resident Tony Kidd, who walks his dog in the field every day, is fed up with the bikers creating noise and damage.

He added: "I bear no malice against these kids but just stop it.

"The noise is quite awful. There's no silencer on these bikes, they roar around. There's tyre marks on the grass.

"They go quite fast on the things. I've seen them with a young child on the front of the bike. It's quite dangerous. They're doing it for pleasure, it's their kicks.

"I've seen a couple of lads quite close up, I'd say they were probably late teens. They spend a lot of time on this field."

Mr Kidd, aged 72, believes the problem started on Christmas Day.

One neighbour told him he heard bikes racing around the field on Christmas morning.

He told Mr Kidd the noise was 'unbearable' as it started at 8am and continued for the rest of the day.

CSO Karen Watson, of Malvern Police Station, hopes to work with the town council to deter youths from riding around the field.

She said: "The police have the power to use Section 59 and will seize your motorbikes.

"The noise and danger to those walking across the field - and the children using the play area off the said field - is not acceptable.

"The police have received some calls from local residents in reference to the anti-social behaviour, as it is having an impact on their quality of life.

"If members of the public see motorbikes on the field in Ramsons Close please call 101 and provide all the information you can to assist the police."

West Mercia Police received reports about vehicles on the field on Sunday, March 4, Tuesday, March 6, and Sunday, March 11.

Malvern Town Council said it was working with officers to solve the problem.