POLICE have launched a campaign to put the brakes on anti-social use of scrambler bikes across Merseyside over the Christmas holidays.

In the summer, 66 people were arrested as part of Operation Brookdale, which is an annual operation dedicated to putting the brakes on people who use off-road bikes in an illegal, dangerous or anti-social way.

Police also seized 140 bikes believed to have been stolen or used in an anti-social manner.

Following its successful conclusion, officers are now continuing their pro-active approach over the Christmas holidays.

Patrols will be targeting known hot spots and areas where people tell us that scrambler bikes are being used in an illegal or anti-social way.

Chief Inspector Jenny Sims said: "Whilst Operation Brookdale gives a focus over the Summer for our work across the force on nuisance scrambler bikes, I want to take this opportunity to reassure people that this is something we take pro-active action on all year round.

"Anti-social use of the bikes blights many communities on Merseyside and is something people consistently tell us they are worried about.

"We know that scramblers have been gathering recently in parts of Liverpool North which are then ridden dangerously across large areas of Merseyside and I want to send a clear message that we will not tolerate this sort of behaviour."

Anyone with information can call police via the 101 number, or dial 999 in the event of an emergency or if there is a crime in progress. Alternatively, people can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers, 24 hours a day, on 0800 555 111.