Community spies' are taking a stand against antisocial scooter riders - by photographing the culprits and handing the images over to police.

In a move prompted by the hit-and-run accident which seriously injured Selsdon Sergeant Alec Stowe last November, residents are acting as the eyes and ears of police and reporting nuisance riders to officers.

In one case, a youth is thought to have had his scooter confiscated after police were shown images of him riding antisocially.

And riders are being warned they face having their bikes confiscated and crushed if they continue to behave irresponsibly.

One resident, who the Croydon Guardian is not identifying, sometimes follows antisocial riders in their car.

They said: "Sometimes we follow gangs of them around in a car to record their activities. We make them known to police if officers don't already know who they are.

"I suppose since Alec Stow was injured in last year's accident people have been sick of nuisance scooter riders. It's not only the dangerous riding but the noise of them."

Residents have also been monitoring the movements of a mini moto rider in Selsdon who has been driving residents round the bend by racing around residential streets.

The resident added: "What he doesn't realise is that his bike can be confiscated and crushed. Perhaps this warning of their illegality might put the parents in the picture."

Sergeant Alec Stow sustained a serious leg injury when he was knocked down as he attempted to stop a scooter rider in Addington Road last November.

The police sergeant, part of the Selsdon and Ballards safer neighbourhood team, is now only able to carry out desk duties as a result of his injuries.

Sergeant Dave Leishman, from the Heathfield safer neighbourhood team, said: "We don't encourage residents to do this sort of thing, but we are in touch with a number of people who report things to us.

"If a rider receives a section 59 of the Police Reform Act warning and they are seen again riding in an antisocial manner they can have their bikes seized and they will have to pay to get it back."