The scooters are classified as motor vehicles by law

Officers in Pangbourne are urging parents to think twice before buying the petrol-driven scooters - known as gopeds - or allowing their children to ride them in public.

They say youngsters riding on pavements and "generally acting irresponsibly" has caused anger amongst some residents.

And, they add, many of the youngsters are in fact breaking the law just by riding the scooters on pavements without meeting legal requirements.

In law, the scooters are classified as motor vehicles, which means that if riding them on a public road - including the pavement - the rider should have a driving licence, insurance, road tax and a crash helmet.

Law-breaking 'unintentional'

It also means the riders must be sober and can be breathalysed by police.

Sergeant Ian Henderson, of Pangbourne's community policing team, said: "I'm sure that the majority of people buying and riding these gopeds are simply unaware of the legislation and are not breaking the law purposefully.

"However, these rules are put in place for a reason - to safeguard both those riding them and other road-users from injury.