REBELLIOUS motorcyclists riding in a Feltham open space are making the lives of nearby householders miserable.

The Chronicle caught riders on camera this week at The Pits, off the alleyway between Feltham and Bedfont and near Rochester Avenue.

Three young men were riding the powerful bikes in the area, which is a hot spot for dog walkers and householders seeking some quiet reflection.
At one point two riders shared a bike, one of which was not wearing a helmet.

The noise caused by the vehicles is proving very disruptive for those living nearby.

Pensioner Ann Towers, of Kendal Close, said: "It has been a problem for a long, long time. It has been going on ever since I moved in and that was 17 years ago. It was much worse a while ago, we used to have 20 of them at the same time at all hours.

"I have been known to just go out and not come home because it is that bad. We have tried everything, you ring the police and they say it is the council and vice versa."

Since householders have complained several years ago, police came up with the idea of putting high mounds of earth on the site to make it more difficult to ride on - but they now weave in and out of these on the footpaths. With the wind and rain they have also got lower, meaning people will soon be able to ride on them.

Conservative deputy mayor Barbara Harris said: "It is very intimidating, they look straight at you like they don't care."

Noveen Phillips, a member of the Westmacott Residents Association and resident of Westmacott Drive, said she thought the situation was improved with the creation of the mounds but fears it could be getting worse as time goes on.

She said: "You can see it is going on right near the houses, I have seen motorbikes in there most weekends. It is the beginning of the summer isn't it? It might be that they are bringing the bikes out. If it carries on we will get on to the police."

Peter Rusby, sector inspector for the Feltham area said: "Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team have been working hard over a long period of time with local residents, the local authority and the landowners to make improvements in this area of Feltham and Bedfont. This has resulted in the development of a children's park area, but we know that there is still more to do as young people are riding motorbikes in the area which is a cause for concern.

"My officers recently stopped a group of young men who were pushing motorbikes through the Rochester subway and were able to advise them about their use of the bikes and their future conduct. We are planning an enforcement operation in the near future with specialist traffic colleagues and will target any motorbikes being ridden in an anti-social manner."