TWO teenagers were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a stolen scrambler bike crashed in Birkenhead.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place on Park Road East at its junction with Claughton Road on Saturday night.

At approximately 8pm, emergency services were called to reports that two 15-year-old boys had been injured.

One suffered leg and facial injuries and the other had a serious head injury.

They were both taken to Arrowe Park Hospital for treatment and one was subsequently transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

His condition is described as serious but stable. It is not thought to be life threatening.

Following the collision, it is believed a number of youths removed the motorcycle to nearby Alvanley Place, where it was found burnt out at around 8.05pm.

A police investigation has so far revealed that the bike, a black Keeway 125 motorcycle, had been stolen in Tranmere on Sunday, August 13.

The Keeway was seized by police for forensic examination.

Chief Inspector Nicholas Gunatilleke said: "Our enquiries into this incident are at an early stage but we currently believe the scrambler bike was being ridden in an anti-social manner prior to the collision.

"We are keen to speak with anyone who witnessed the collision or any sightings of the scrambler bike in the area around 8pm.

"We would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen the bike – a black Keeway 125 - being ridden in Merseyside recently to contact us.

"Any information you have, however small it may seem, could prove vital to our enquiries.

"I would like to take this opportunity to reassure communities across Merseyside that we understand their concerns about scrambler bikes and will be relentless in our efforts to tackle them.

"Scrambler bikes are not just a nuisance - they have been linked to people involved in serious and organised crime who bring fear and harm to our communities.

"We know they have been used in firearm incidents and we are determined to take these bikes out of the hands of serious criminals.

"The riders of these bikes are clearly jeopardising their own safety, by riding without any helmets or safety equipment.

"The manner of their riding means they often risk the safety of innocent road users and pedestrians too.

"Merseyside Police will continue to take proactive action to locate and seize suspected stolen or nuisance bikes.

"We will not tolerate the illegal or anti-social use of scrambler bikes but we need the public to tell us where these bikes are being stored and who is using them so we can take action and get these bikes out of circulation.

"If you provide us or Crimestoppers with information about the use of these bikes, I can assure you we will take action."

Anyone with information on this incident, or where scrambler bikes are being stored in Merseyside, can call Roads Policing Officers on 0151 777 2219.

Alternatively, call the 101 number or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.