Ref. 25671-53A TEENAGER who was caught by police illegally using scrubland as a scrambling course has described the law as silly.

Dean O'Sullivan, 16, and his biker mates have transformed a section of the fields backing on to the River Ray nature trail, close to Hreod Park-way School, into a mini racetrack.

They say there is no-where else to go with their scramblers.

However, police claim the activity not only causes a great deal of distress and annoyance to local residents, but also poses a danger to the youths taking part and to the public.

On Sunday they issued warnings to the teenagers to stay away, or risk

having their bikes confiscated.

Dean, of Camden Close, Grange Park, said he and his friends meet up for a bit of harmless fun.

The former Greendown School pupil said: "It's silly that we have been given the warnings

because it's really out of the way and we're not hurting anyone.

"I was surprised the police gave us the warnings because they told us about seven or eight months ago that we were allowed to go there.

"Now we can't go down there anymore and there isn't anywhere else to go.

"We used to like to meet up every couple of weekends. It's good fun and quite exhilarating because you get an adrenalin rush.

"We don't all have bikes so we share and we've got helmets to share too.

"It was all quite overgrown here so we made the tracks ourselves."

Dean, who is about to start an apprenticeship in carpentry, added: "We've been coming here for about a year, but people have been coming to this part of the area for several years to use their scramblers."

His 15-year-old friend, who did not want to be named, said: "Riding the bikes is great. You get a rush and it's a real buzz."

On Sunday police officers patrolled the area from 1.30pm until 3.30pm, and later from 5.30pm until 7pm.

Alvina Kumar, spokeswoman for Swindon Police, confirmed that five warning notices were issued to riders, advising them of police powers to seize their bikes in line with a number of Road Traffic Act laws.

"If their bikes are seized the owner has to pay £105 plus £12 per day for its recovery," Ms Kumar said.

"We hope that these warning notices will act as a deterrent.

"North Sector officers will be paying particular attention to this problem and will take positive action against those responsible.

"We would encourage residents to record registration numbers of large vehicles or vans seen unloading bikes, and pass on this information."

Anyone with information should call Sgt Charlie Armstrong or PC Qahir Sheikh on (01793) 528111.