Their antics have even made it onto the Youtube website, where one youth is shown in a video doing a “wheelie” in and out of traffic in Longtown Road.

Police are now investigating this incident.

In the last few months, similar reckless escapades have led to the death of a 17-year-old, who crashed a stolen bike into a car in Douglas, and an incident in which a dog was killed when it was run over by a scrambler while being walked by its owner.

Now, police are appealing for the public’s help in tracking down the teenage tearaways and the stolen bikes.

Inspector Bryan Knight, of the crime reduction unit, said people had to realise the motorbike madness was happening in their neighbourhoods and the next tragedy could involve a member of their family.

“It’s easier to steal a bike than a car and it’s easier to hide it. That’s why we need the public’s help,” he said.

“We’ve already had tragedies and we need to get these bikes out of circulation.”

Police have been giving the problem increased attention over the last two years and believe they have largely eradicated irresponsible use of bikes bought through legitimate means.

In some cases, the owners were unaware of the legislation governing the use of motorbikes.

That action has led to a drastic reduction in the number of complaints of anti-social behaviour involving bikes, but a hard core of young bikers continues to cause havoc, mainly in the Douglas, Mid Craigie and Kirkton areas.

Mill o’ Mains and Drumgeith, Finlathen and Camperdown parks are other areas where the bikers feel they can let rip with their scramblers, often travelling across grassy areas at high speed.

The go-anywhere nature and manoeuvrability of the scrambler bikes makes it difficult for police to catch the youths in the act.

Officers on foot or bicycles are simply left standing as the bikers take off down footpaths, between houses and over rough ground.

The bikes they use are believed to be stolen and are often ridden by teenagers who can’t be bothered with niceties such as helmets or insurance. The machines are not always roadworthy, either.

Inspector Knight said there weren’t many youths engaging in reckless behaviour, but the problem was on a larger scale than the number of perpetrators might suggest.

He said, “There’s a hard core of probably no more than 10 or 12 youths and I don’t think they ever have any more than two bikes at any one time.

“We’ve managed to tackle the anti-social side of the problem by working closely with community wardens, but we would appeal to people who know who the bikers are or where their machines are hidden to get in touch with us.

“If possible, we would like people to come forward as witnesses, but we would also be happy to take calls on our Crimestoppers hotline 0800 555 111.”

Inspector Knight said a crime prevention officer could offer advice on how bike owners could make their machines more secure, but they should take care to ensure their bikes were always securely chained.

“THIS MUST BE STOPPED”

A Dundee councillor leading the fight against the young bikers has sent out an urgent appeal to local people for information (writes Jennifer Cosgrove).

Councillor George Regan said it was vital the community lent its support and came forward with intelligence about the teenagers who are making people’s lives a misery.

“There are kids using motorbikes, whether they be stolen, or owned illicitly, and they are posing a genuine danger to pedestrians and road users.

“This must be stopped.”

Mr Regan said youths chose to steal bikes, but the people who were injured or affected by their behaviour had no choice in the matter at all.

“People are terrified of these bikes and they are genuinely frightened to come out of their homes.

“You can’t put traffic calming measures on grass or footpaths — we need the community to help us.

“Neighbours will know people who have these bikes and they’re bound to see them day-in-day-out. Confidentiality is guaranteed. People can come and see me at any of my surgeries, or report these people to Crimestoppers.

“The less chance there is people will get away with it, the less chance of them doing it.”