Motorbike yobs seen 'speeding along pavements' as local schoolkids walk home

Residents in the north of Edinburgh have been left fuming at motorbike yobs who were seen "tearing up and down pavements" as children made their way home from school.

Pictures have emerged of at least two people on motorbikes driving along pedestrianised sections of Pennywell Road on Monday afternoon.

A spokesman for tenant's group TRIM and Friends of West Pilton described those responsible as "idiots," and warned that a child could have ended up with "life-changing" injuries had they been struck by one of the vehicles.

He continued: "This was seen just after school today. There are around 500 local kids using local streets to go home and obviously it puts their safety at risk by tearing up and down pavements. Despite them wearing helmets, they are clearly not legal drivers."

The spokesman said this type of incident is a "great concern" in the context of last week's council budget cuts to community policing.

A police spokesman confirmed that inquiries are ongoing into this incident.

The legal minimum age for riding a motorcycle in the UK is 16 years old, although the age limit rises for more powerful vehicles.

In June 2016, 14-year-old Brad Williamson died from head injuries after being thrown from a motorcycle when it collided with a car in Silverknowes Road.

A passenger on the bike - also a 14-year-old-boy - was treated at the Sick Kids for serious, but non life-threatening injuries.