THIS picture shows what happens to mini bikes and off-road scramblers that are used anti-socially or illegally.

They were crushed at a scrapyard by Gwent Police yesterday under new powers, Section 59 of the Police Reform Act, which mean illegally used bikes can be seized by officers and are impounded until a £125 fee is paid.

If the penalty is not paid, the bikes are then crushed or auctioned off with the proceeds confiscated.

Among those scrapped yesterday were an 18-inch mini-moto bike used by a 17-year-old disqualified Abertillery rider and an off-road bike used by a 16-year-old boy around Cwmtillery Lakes.

Inspector Mike Cotterell, from Gwent Police, said: "The message to parents with Christmas approaching is to think carefully before spending hundreds of pounds.

"Children as young as five or six are riding mini-moto bikes and it is lucky we haven't had a serious incident. We'd ask parents to make sure they have somewhere for their children to ride their bikes safely and legally."

The Argus reported in July how mini bikes were being used to make life a misery for Newport residents and how louts had caused mayhem in the Caerleon Road, Corporation Road, Glebelands, Maesglas and Gaer areas of the city.

Marketed as toys, the bikes have caused deaths and serious injuries in other parts of the country.