RESIDENTS have been left scared to visit a popular park after dangerous bikers were spotting speeding around the area.

Dog walkers and families were left shocked as the nuisance bikers weaved around park visitors at John Burrows Park, off Daws Heath Road, in Hadleigh.

Castle Point Council has installed CCTV and increased warden patrols to deal with the bikers.

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, witnessed the dangerous riders.

She said: “I live near this park and have had a lot of run ins with the bikers.

“It has made me scared to go out with my dogs.

“I think it is totally unacceptable that these men are doing this.

“It is a nice community park, not a race track.

“They also need to think about how dangerous this is for residents and families who are at the park.

“We need to crack down on this and stop these idiots from ruining our lovely town’s park.”

Councillors said it has been an on going issue and they are working hard to combat the issue.

Colin Riley, Tory councillor for Victoria said: “We have installed CCTV and added more warden patrols to help deal with this.

“It is difficult to catch and stop them. I do not think or want residents to be concerned about going there.

“It happens at night and evening time when there are [fewer] people about.

“I will make sure the council team is aware and working on this issue.”

Simon Hard, also a Tory councillor for the area, said: “It has been a concern before and we are trying to get of nuisance people who use the park.

“I’ve had a few complaints but nothing lately about this.

“We did think we had got rid of the issue from the park.

“We need to get registration numbers of these vehicles so we can catch them.

“I would urge anyone who can to take pictures and videos of the bikers.

“It is a lovely park and we want to get more people using it.

“The last thing we want is to stop residents using the park.”

Mr Hart said it is unbelievable that people feel this is acceptable behaviour in a public park.

He said evidence such as imagines will help deal with these bikers.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We have an ongoing operation to tackle anti-social and dangerous riding of motorbikes and mopeds across Rochford and Castle Point.

"This includes daily high visibility and covert patrols in hot spot areas and working with specialist officers from across the force to gather information to identify offenders.

"As a result, we are in the process of taking action against three riders.
We have also been working the community safety partnership and council, including looking at ways to restrict vehicle access to public spaces.

"We ask anyone with information on nuisance vehicles to call us on 101 or report online at www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online.

"You can also email dash cam or mobile phone footage on the Castle Point and Rochford Community Policing Team Facebook page – search for Essex Police - Castle Point and Rochford.

"Wherever possible, please include as much information as possible including registration plates. Your information can help us identify offenders so that we can take appropriate action against them."