Forensic marking spray is being used by police in South Wirral to help deter people from riding scrambler bikes anti-socially.

The DNA spray is being brought back due to an increase in the number of bikes being used in an anti-social manner - and police are determined to combat the problem.

Forensic marking sprays enable officers to mark riders and their bikes and trace them back to anti-social behaviour at a later date.

The sprays are an invisible dye which marks the skin, clothing and bike.

Officers can then use ultraviolet torches to identify riders and link them to a specific incident using a unique DNA code.

Cheshire Police will look to prosecute anyone found to have been marked by one of the sprays or owning a scrambler bike that has been sprayed.

If a scrambler bike is found to have been sprayed on more than one occasion it will be permanently seized by the police.

Sergeant Paul Davis, of Ellesmere Port Local Policing Unit, said: “Unfortunately we have seen an increase in the number of people riding scrambler bikes in an anti-social way but thanks to the public coming forward to report it we are rolling out our unique fighting tool to put a stop to it.

“The majority of reports show them using the bikes dangerously specifically around the town but also within the estates, which is understandably affecting the wellbeing of the community.

“We will not allow that to happen and with the help of the sprays we will work tirelessly to identify and prosecute the individuals responsible for this sort of behaviour.”

“I hope knowing officers and PCSOs will have the sprays as a permanent part of their armoury will deter youths from riding scrambler bikes in an anti-social manner.”

Police are appealing to the community to pass any information of riders committing anti-social behaviour while on scrambler bikes to Cheshire Police on 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their online form on their website Crimestoppers-uk.org.