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New powers to combat mini-moto threat
The Home Office has granted powers for illegal mini-moto riders to be handed driving bans and for their vehicles to be destroyed if necessary.
Under the new legislation, drivers of these miniature bikes can be docked points from their license even if they are not yet old enough to have one should they be found riding them on private property without permission or in public spaces.
Focusing on 28 areas deemed to be hotspots for illegal mini-moto riding, police will also have the power to crush the vehicles of repeat offenders, a deterrent that home secretary John Reid hopes will discourage youngsters from riding antisocially.
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He said: "Misuse of mini-motos is dangerous and is causing misery in too many of our local communities.
"We are working with police and local partners to promote safe and sensible use. These vehicles are not toys and I want to see irresponsible drivers stopped and if necessary their bikes crushed."
The crackdown will focus on the north west, where the problem of antisocial riding is particularly bad, with Manchester, Liverpool, Oldham, Blackburn, Salford and West Cumbria all listed among the named hotspots.
Sales of these bikes have increased tenfold in the space of three years to reach 100,000 for 2005 alone, with the vehicles often being marketed as toys even though many can travel at speeds as high as 60mph.
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