Shocked police catch boy, 7, riding off-road bike

The boy said the scrambler bike was a Christmas present

Police officers said they were shocked when they realised that the "dangerous" off-road bike rider they had stopped was an unaccompanied seven-year-old boy.

Concerned members of the public called Merseyside Police when they spotted the bike being ridden erratically in Huyton.

The young boy told police the off-road bike had been a Christmas present.

Insp Brian Loughran said it was "really worrying" that a seven-year-old boy was illegally riding such a vehicle on the roads.

'Prosecuted'

He added: "It is illegal for a scrambler to be driven on the road, but to let a child take to the roads presents a danger to their safety and the safety of others."

Insp Loughran said officers seized the scrambler bike in line with Operation Brookdale protocols, adding the force "will continue to seize scrambler bikes that are being ridden dangerously, or illegally".

He added: "We don't want to be taking kids' Christmas presents off them – but we'd rather be taking their bikes off the roads than taking them to hospital. Or worse."

Merseyside Police warned that parents who allow their children to ride scrambler or quad bikes in public places may be prosecuted.