It is inevitable that someone will eventually be killed unless illegal riding of mini motorbikes is stopped, Falmouth police have warned. The stark warning comes following an increase in complaints from residents across the town, over the amount of so-called "mini-motos" being ridden on roads and public places.

PC Edd Clarke, Trescobeas neighbourhood beat manager from Falmouth police station, said: "If there are any kids on these bikes, the last thing we want to do is go round and tell the parents their kid has been killed as a result of an accident on one of these bikes. There's no getting away from the fact the bikes should not be used on a public highway."

As previously reported in the Packet, mini motos and the slightly larger "midi motos," are illegal to drive on the roads and public places without a licence, road tax and insurance, along with a proper crash helmet. However, as the bikes were never designed to be used on the road - and so do not confirm to necessary regulations - it is impossible to obtain these requirements. Also there is a lack of safety and quality tests involved in building the bikes, which are normally produced in China.

PC Clarke explained: "You could be riding down the road when all of a sudden your handlebars just roll over in front of you, or your brake lever drops off, or your seat swivels round. Your attention is then taken away from what you are doing to what is happening and crash."

He added that as the bikes were so small it was difficult to notice them driving alongside - particularly in the dark.

"If the bike is being used during the hours of darkness it will not possess any lights and would basically be almost invisible. I dread to think what the outcome could be," he said.

A large proportion of complaints from residents were based around the high-pitched revving noises made by the bikes, he added.

PC Clarke warned that if caught on a road or a public place the bikes could be seized and the rider face the possibility of prosecution and a fine or penalty points if convicted.