Police have issued a statement in response to being mocked online after seizing a quad bike - from a two-year-old. Staffordshire Police seized the bike after they saw it being ridden by the two-year-old, and another six-year-old child.
Quad bikes are motorised leisure vehicles and cannot be driven on a public road by someone under 16 years old. The driver must also have a driving licence. However, anyone over 13 years old is allowed to drive on a quad bike while driven on private land. Those aged 13 or over can ride quad bikes of an appropriate size and power but, only after they have received formal training for driving ATVs.
A police spokesman said: "The mini-quad bike seized on the greenway near Tunstall Park was a 50cc petrol engine bike. This was not a toy and should not have been operated in a public space. The quad bike was seen to be moving far quicker than walking pace and is capable of reaching speeds of 15mph. Also on the scene at the time was a full-sized off-road bike being ridden by a man."
It led to criticism of the force from StokeonTrentLive readers who say they have waited hours for a response to a 999 call - only for the police to seize a two-year-old's bike.
It comes as investigating officers are still trying to trace a man riding an off-road bike in the area at the same time. The two-year-old's quad bike was later lifted onto the back of a recovery truck in Tunstall Park and driven away.
Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with any information about the identity of the man should call the police on 101, quoting incident number 361 of April 21.
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