Dozens of dangerous incidents committed by thugs on mopeds are still being reported to St Albans police every week.

In June the Herts Ad threw light on a spate of anti-social behaviour in Cottonmill - masked hoodlums on mini motos were believed to have torched motorbikes, attempted to steal petrol, and scared children.

As the riders not have licence plates or helmets, Herts police cannot pursue them in case there is a car crash and someone is seriously injured.

St Albans district councillor for Ashley, Matt Farrell, believed it was not a purely St Albans issue but linked to similar activity elsewhere with the bikes being moved between areas to evade detection.

St Albans district neighbourhood Insp Adam Such said the police are still on the case coming up to Christmas: “It’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.

“My neighbourhood teams are receiving dozens of calls and emails from residents reporting young people riding mini motos, off-road bikes and mopeds illegally and dangerously.

“The young people have their faces covered and the mini motos and mopeds do not have registered number plates.”

He said reports have spread, coming from the Alban Way, Camp Road, Highfield, London Colney and in the city centre.

Adding: “We need to know who these young people are as we’ve had incidents where these vehicles have been deliberately driven towards members of the public on the pavement and riding around the public roads dangerously.”

He recommended parents only buy their children motorised vehicles if they have access to somewhere big enough to ride around, with the permission of the private land owner: “The mini motos are not allowed to be ridden on public roads, and obviously not on pavements.

“Police are not able to pursue these vehicles, due to the safety of the public on and off the roads and the danger to the offenders themselves, but rest assured, we have some information about who they are and with your help, we will do everything we can to put a stop to this reckless behaviour.”

Anyone with information about the riders or crimes should contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.