A FESTIVE warning has been issued by police advising parents they could be prosecuted if off-road vehicles are ridden illegally.

It comes as Christmas approaches and many people could be thinking of buying off-road bikes, quad bikes, scooters and other small machines that have petrol engines as well as mini-motos and go-peds as presents.

So far in 2013, officers from the Cleveland Police motorcycle section have seized more than 40 off-road vehicles, with more being seized by district officers.

Inspector Lee Rukin, from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: “Many people can be unaware of the responsibilities and laws around owning off-road vehicles. We would encourage those who are intending to purchase an off-road bike, a quad bike, a mini-moto or go-ped to do their background research first.

“The most common misconceptions are that they can be ridden on a road or on public land and that no insurance is needed. This is not true. You need insurance when in control of a motor vehicle in a public place. Parents could be prosecuted for permitting their child to ride on a road or public place, which could affect their own car or bike insurance.

“The only place where off-road vehicles can be lawfully ridden is private land with the direct permission of the land owner or at an organised and supervised off-road centre. We don’t want to disappoint any children, but if we need to seize an off-road vehicle due to it being ridden illegally then we will.”