POLICE have seized another six mopeds in Southampton as part of an ongoing drive against illegally modified mach-ines in a road safety campaign.

The operation at Bitterne, following a similar seizure in Eastleigh, was led by Pc Dan Golding from the Roads Policing Unit at Totton, the Safer Neigh-bourhoods Team from Bitterne, VOSA staff and Pc Mick Gear from the Safer Roads Partnership.

The focus of the checks was to identify illegally modified mopeds that increase their speed beyond the 31mph legal maximum. Fifteen were checked and six failed – one recording 48mph – and were impounded.

Pc Golding said: “A 16-year-old rider is only licensed to ride a moped and by modifying the moped it becomes a light motorcycle for which the minimum age is 17, so they have no licence or insurance.

“The dangers of a 16-year-old riding an over-powered moped has increased the number of injury collisions involving such vehicles and the antisocial use of such vehicles is a current issue and policing priority.”

Any vehicle found to be overpowered was immediately seized although the rider was not prosecuted for driving licence offences which would carry three points and a £60 fine. Educating the rider was preferred as any fine would be likely to be met by the rider’s parents and increase insurance costs in the future.

“Should the rider be caught in the future then prosecution is likely. The owners do have to meet a £150 recovery charge plus storage costs in addition to the costs of re-restricting the vehicle,” added Pc Golding.

He said VOSA staff also checked the mopeds for mechanical defects for which eight failed and received prohibition notices – for defects with brakes and brake lights. “One moped had been recently bought from a dealer so there are wider responsibilities for parents and dealers to be aware of,” he said.

Pc Gear said: “Hopefully the message will be taken with the education that has been offered.”