MOTORCYCLISTS are riding on footpaths and public spaces and putting children at risk, a councillor has warned.

Pat Rackley, Basildon councillor for St Martins ward, is warning riders not to use paths around Pin Mill after hearing from worried residents.

Neighbours had asked her to visit a clothes drying area near Broadmayne, where she came across the bikes being ridden.

Mrs Rackley said: “There’s a major problem of people going through there on motorbikes. We are going to see if we can do anything to stop them. It’s an issue and the police are aware of it, but it was appalling over the weekend.

“There are little children playing there and residents are concerned they will get hit.”

Initially, independent Labour councillor Mrs Rackley was invited to the drying area to investigate safety concerns after a boy got trapped in a clothes line.