A police force pledged to get tough on the misuse of mini motorcycles yesterday as officials crushed a confiscated machine.

The crackdown follows a spate of complaints about anti-social behaviour by those riding the miniature motorbikes, which were a popular Christmas present for youngsters.

Warwickshire Police, which put a seized machine in a crusher in Kingsbury yesterday morning, warned that misuse of the vehicles would not be tolerated.

Police community support officer Louise Moore said: "A lot of youngsters have received mini-motos for Christmas but do not know where they are able to ride them.

"This has led to an increase in complaints from the public of youngsters causing a nuisance due to noise, damaging the environment or putting the safety of the public at risk."

Police stressed that the bikes were not toys and vehicles which are not taxed, licensed and insured can only be used on private land.

Chief Inspector Chris Lewis added: "We have a significant problem on our hands with nuisance use of mini-motos both on and off road and if people want to use machines of whatever description illegally, then we will use all our powers to try and prevent that problem and if ultimately it means we seize vehicles off them and put them in a crusher then we will do it.

"However if people want to ride in a social, safe, and legal manner than we have no problem."