Local communities around the country will enjoy more silent nights this Christmas thanks to the success of a summer campaign by the Government's Respect Task Force to clampdown on the misuse of mini motos.

The six week campaign launched by the Home Secretary at the beginning of August saw tough enforcement action by police that resulted in over 600 mini-motos being seized or crushed. This was combined with awareness-raising of the anti-social problems caused by the illegal use of these vehicles and guidance published by the Respect Task Force.

The summer blitz on illegal mini moto use took place in 28 areas who recorded the following successes after nearly 4,000 complaints directly relating to mini-motos:

* over 600 vehicles seized or crushed;

* warnings issued to 742 people, with a further 240 parents spoken to by police;

* more than 90 arrests; and

* fixed penalty notices issued in over 70 instances and 17 noise abatement orders.

Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said:

"I hope that any parent who is thinking of giving a mini-moto to their child this Christmas realises that driving them on roads, pavements or in parks is illegal and could result in the vehicles being crushed by police.

"As our summer campaign has shown, local people find mini-moto misuse a serious nuisance that damages and disrupts their communities. The police and local partners want to promote safe and sensible use, but aren't afraid to act if the vehicles are being used irresponsibly."

Drivers who uses mini motos anywhere except on private land where permission has been granted face a range of penalties including the prospect of having their vehicle crushed. Offenders can also expect to receive points on their licence, including children not old enough to currently hold one.

If a child is awarded points on a future licence as a result of driving a mini-moto illegally, some insurance companies will refuse to insure them once they have passed their driving -*test*-('"). As a minimum, their insurance premium will be vastly increased.

Louise Casey, the Government's Co-ordinator for Respect, said: "Mini motos are not toys. Their loud engines and speed can make them a menace to communities, disrupting people's right to live in peace and safety.

"Our summer campaign has shown that targeted enforcement action coupled with educating parents and children about proper use of mini motos can be hugely successful in reducing their harmful on local communities."