Reckless yobs on mini-motos are tearing around play areas at 50mph – ploughing through groups of children and balancing toddlers from their handlebars.

Terrified parents have stopped their kids playing outside in a bid to keep them safe from the hooligans, who are racing close to schools, nurseries, and estates across Ellesmere Port.

And images show that the reckless yobs, some of whom are said to be as old as 38, are even putting their own children’s lives in danger – by letting children as young as two ride along.

Residents living in Stanney and Westminster Estates, and Raybee Court, say they have been plagued by the anti-social mini-motos for years – but now fear that someone will be killed if the anti-social behaviour doesn’t finally come to an end.

Safety fears reached tipping point when a teenage rider’s mini-moto slammed into a vehicle, leaving him in intensive care while racing during the summer holidays, say police.

Last month, police responded to an influx in calls, launching a large-scale operation involving the force helicopter and police motorcyclists in a bid to catch the offenders.

But despite police preparing to crush four mini-motos used by some of the most prolific offenders, residents have told the Pioneer they fear someone will be killed before the reckless behaviour stops.

One young family – who do not want to be identified due to fears for their safety – described the horrifying moment they saw a biker race through a group of young children playing on scooters – forcing them to leap out of the way.

“They had to get out of the way – he was a grown man,” said the new mum, who has a six-month-old baby.

“I really think that sooner or later someone is going to get seriously hurt. The speeds they are going at it wouldn’t be an accident, it would be something very serious.

“It could even be death by dangerous driving – they go 40/50mph down the footpaths.”

The mum-of-one said parents living on the estate were stopping their kids playing outside and that some families – including themselves – are desperately trying to move to get away from the anti-social behaviour.

“Usually there would be 20 or 30 kids out there playing, but their mums are keeping them inside – it’s such a shame,” she said, explaining that the riders scattered when ever the police arrived.

“It is all hours of the day and night.

“Some sound like hair dryers, but the dirt bikes and quad bikes are really loud. I cannot have the window open because of the baby.”

Police say they have seized mini-motos which were bought for as little as £40 off eBay, and that the culprits have been aged from 14 to 38.

The recent operation – which saw the police helicopter track the riders back to their homes, allowing officers to seize the bikes - has led to a drop in reports, but police say they are continuing to robustly target offenders.

At one point, during the last few months, officers said they were receiving five or six reports every day.

Police are still searching for a man who has been seen on a number of occasions racing around on one of the motorised vehicles, with a child aged two or three sat on the front. They have released CCTV images in a bid to catch the offender.

“No members of the community have been hurt – that doesn’t mean the danger hasn’t been there,” said Chief Inspector Giles Orton.

“Many offenders are not wearing helmets or protection, they are putting themselves in a dangerous position.

“The way they are being driven is a danger to the community; they could come across a dog walker or a child or dog running into the path.

“They are individuals, we have not got gangs of riders racing around Ellesmere Port.”

PC Graeme Morrison urged members of the community to continue reporting the anti-social behaviour to the police in order to keep families safe and nuisance levels down.

“Anyone who knows anything could be saving members of the public or the offender from serious injury or worse,” he said.

“We will continue to focus on this issue, and in addition to losing their machines, riders will be prosecuted through the courts.

“We are determined that this robust approach will make our roads and public spaces safer places to be.

“Anyone who knows anything could be saving members of the public or the rider from serious injury or worse.”

If you are a victim of anti-social behaviour, contact Cheshire police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.