Police have issued a warning to young people after around 30 reports of dangerous cycling in Medway.

Officers are urging parents of children and teenagers to remind them to cycle safely following 999 calls about groups of youths riding between traffic and towards oncoming cars, before quickly turning away from vehicles.

Around 30 reports have been made in the Gillingham and Chatham areas of Medway since October, which are usually after school hours and at weekends. The children are reported to be between 10 and 18 years old.

Sgt Adam Duke of Medway’s Community Safety Unit said: "We want young people and teenagers to enjoy riding their bikes however we have received a number of reports where cyclists are said to be cycling towards oncoming traffic.

"This is extremely dangerous behaviour and while we have not yet been called to any reports of people being injured due to this behaviour we are concerned that it is an accident waiting to happen.

"I’d like to remind these people of how dangerous this kind of behaviour can be, not only to themselves but also to other road users, and I’d also like to alert parents to these reports in case they are not aware.

"If your young child or teenager is cycling around Medway in a group please do have a chat with them and remind them it is their responsibility to ride safely not only for their own safety but also for others on the road."

Officers are working with secondary schools and reviewing CCTV to help identify those responsible and determine whether any criminal offences have been committed.