YOUTHS in Sidmouth are putting their lives at risk by playing chicken with cars. Nine youngsters, aged between 11 and 14, were caught by police dodging cars as they raced across the pedestrian crossing on their bikes at Stowford Rise. Worried residents

YOUTHS in Sidmouth are putting their lives at risk by playing 'chicken' with cars.

Nine youngsters, aged between 11 and 14, were caught by police dodging cars as they raced across the pedestrian crossing on their bikes at Stowford Rise.

Worried residents who had witnessed the terrifying stunts throughout Saturday evening reported it to police.

The youths were given road safety advice by officers and now police are warning others.

Sergeant Andy Turner, of Sidmouth Police, said: "Obviously children playing anywhere near roads doing anything such as this could result in their death.

"Police officers have all attended accidents where children have been knocked over and quite often they end up seriously hurt or worse.

"We are asking people to exercise commonsense, be sensible and if they see anyone acting in an inappropriate manner near roads don't hesitate to contact us."

The children were caught dodging cars just days after youths in County Durham injured two women after a game of chicken went wrong.

Sergeant Turner said they would take any reports very seriously and urged youngsters to stay away from dangerous areas.

He added: "This particular road is very busy with lots of Sidmouth residents using it to get to Waitrose. It is much busier than usual at the moment because of construction traffic travelling to and from the Waitrose development."

Stuart Hughes, county council member for highways and transportation, condemned the youths' actions.

He said: "That type of behaviour is unacceptable. You hear so much about this in other parts of the country where people sometimes run in front of trains.

"They are risking their own lives and putting other peoples' in danger. The crossing was put there so pedestrians can safely get from one side of the road to the other.

"If even one car hits one of these cyclists there may be a fatality-not just the cyclist but maybe the person in the car.