CONCERNED councillors have called for dispersal orders to be put in place to tackle the growing problem with bike yobs.

The move comes after Frinton and Walton Town Council’s clerk stepped in to stop a council cleaner being abused by youngsters at the Old Road toilets in Frinton.

Residents have previously raised concerns about increasing anti-social behaviour and “dangerous” cycling across Tendring.

Paul Haines posted dashcam footage on social media to warn parents after a reckless youngster performed a wheelie in front of his car in Legerton Drive, Clacton, on Monday.

Frinton councillor Nick Turner said he has been in touch with Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst after councillors were concerned about a lack of action by police.

Mr Turner said: “The police have failed to deal with 15 to 20 young cyclists who are bombing around our area without let or hindrance.

“I’ve had complaints from the residents’ association and chamber of commerce – who are upset about the police and the way they have failed to come up with a solution to these youngsters.”

Mr Turner said that if no action is taken, the council should reconsider whether it should continue to fund six Police Community Support Officers in the future.

He added: “We should look at where else we could spend £250,000 to protect ourselves – it’s got beyond a joke now.”

Concerned resident Mick Hunt told councillors he had confronted groups of cyclists in Frinton’s Connaught Avenue and outside the Triangle Shopping Centre in Walton.

One group proceeded to cycle in front of his vehicle following the exchange.

“I‘ve had a load of abuse,” he said. “If I was the police, I would have seized the bikes, and they wouldn’t get them back until they go to court.

“It’s the shortage of police officers - not PCSOs – that is the problem.

“At my age, I don’t want to be tackling six or seven 15-year-olds with bikes – it’s always on a Saturday down Connaught Avenue, but happens outside The Triangle every night of the week.

“We need a dispersal order or for a police officer to feel a few collars.”

Frinton councillor Terry Allen previously suggested creating an out-of-town cycling area for youngsters, but councillor Tom Abrahams felt it would not be used as the youngsters are seeking “negative attention”.

He has now called for a dispersal order to be used to resolve the issue.

Mr Allen said: “Years ago we had problems with mini motorbikes and then the police could use a Section 59 Order to crush bikes.

“The problem is that bicycles are not licenced in the same way, but we need to push for that kind of order to be done if they are a nuisance.

“It will soon condition their minds when they have a £300 bike put through the crusher – and the parents would then be involved.”

Councillor Delyth Miles said bike yobs have also caused “mayhem” at Walton and Frinton Swimming Pool and windows had been smashed at the Columbine Centre.

Floyd Davis, from Frinton Road, Kirby Cross, said teenagers on bikes wearing hooded tops were were interrupted while trying to use lumps of wood to damage the iconic Clock Tower Shelter on Frinton Greensward on Monday.

She said: “Their determination to destroy the area where they live is both jaw dropping and very sad, and stark contrast to the vast majority of our young people.”

Insp Darren Deex, from the Tendring Community Policing Team, said: “This is a problem which we have been aware of for a while now and have been focusing some of our resources towards trying to resolve the issue.

“Unfortunately the current tactics have so far failed to stop the problem from occurring and therefore we will be reviewing our approach to see if there are alternative powers we can use, including the use of Dispersal Powers.

“However police intervention should not always be seen as the panacea to all problems.

“I believe it is important that parents in the area should take more responsibility for educating their children on the dangers of poor cycling and the possible tragic outcomes which may occur as a result of this behaviour.

“We will also be working closely with the local schools and partners, including the town council, to provide some key messages around anti-social behaviour and identifying other interventions and diversions which may prevent the problems from recurring.

“We have always had an excellent relationship with Frinton and Walton Town Council and are grateful for their support in terms of the six fully-funded PCSOs, who perform a fantastic job as part of the wider Tendring Community Policing Team.

“While they do not have the same powers of arrest that a constable might, they do have a significant range of powers, including many under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act which we will be using to tackle this issue and therefore their role in stopping this behaviour is vital.”