POLICE swooped on unsafe motorcyclists and drivers during a day of action in Northwood Hills.

The crackdown, in Joel Street, followed numerous complaints from residents about groups of motorcycle and scooter riders riding dangerously.

Northwood Hills Safer Neighbourhood Team was joined by officers from Harefield to carry out the operation, to check both cars and motorcycles. Two specialist motorcycle officers from the Metropolitan Police traffic unit joined them.

The officers were able to inspect bikes for any problems and advise about road safety.

Twenty-two vehicles were stopped on the day, two of them motorcycles with 'serious defects', according to police.

The riders were barred from continuing their journey and had to arrange for the machines to be collected. Four other drivers were reported for minor offences.

Officers also did speed checks and six drivers were stopped and given advice.

Northwood Hills area sergeant, David Wright, who ran the operation, said:“We are responding to the issues identified by our communities and working towards making our roads safer for drivers and also for pedestrians.

“We engaged with many residents on the day and gave advice to drivers on road safety.

“This day of action sent a strong message to local people and those passing through the roads of Northwood Hills that police are serious about identifying dangerous and unroadworthy vehicles.”

Northwood Hills residents have raised concerns about dangerous bikers on numerous occasions. Many of them drive scooters and 'mini-moto' bikes without wearing helmets, and speed up and down streets in the area.

They have also been spotted by the police doing stunts such as wheelies in front of other traffic, but are hard to catch because they often disappear into parks and woods, where police cars cannot follow.