FOLLOWING the death of a young Birkenhead man earlier this year, police have raided homes across Merseyside in a crackdown against illegal use of scrambler bikes.

Fourteen addresses were targeted this morning across north Liverpool and Knowsley, as well as at a storage yard in Fazakerley.

A raid was also carried out in Greater Manchester.

Sixteen people were arrested and  28 off-road bikes seized.

Police say “Operation Bryn” is in reaction to community concerns about the illegal and dangerous use of the bikes.

Jack Byrne, 18, was killed in a crash in Palm Grove, Oxton in February after the off-road motorcycle he was riding collided with a car.

The pillion passenger on the bike was critically injured.

Chief Superintendent Jonathan Roy said: "Today's action is all about responding to the concerns of communities across Merseyside and targeting those people who we believe have been using scrambler bikes in a dangerous or anti-social way.

"The pro-active action that we have taken today has resulted in a number of bikes being taken off the road and I want to reassure people that our clampdown will continue across the coming weeks and months.

"We know that there are still scramblers, quads and other vehicles out there which are being ridden dangerously or anti-socially and I hope today shows that when we have information, we will act on it to tackle the problem.

"I would appeal to people across Merseyside to carry on calling us if they know where nuisance bikes are being stored or they have information about the people who are using them."

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said: “Residents, farmers and businesses have raised with me many times their concerns about the illegal and anti-social use of scrambler and quad bikes.

“These nuisance bikes can blight communities and present a real danger to members of the public. Sadly, we have recently seen the devastating consequences of using these bikes."

In July of last year, Merseyside Police arrested 28 people and seized 35 bikes as part of their campaign against anti-social use of illegal scrambler and quad bikes.

The seized machines were later crushed.