Fed-up residents are calling on police to crack down on “selfish” and noisy bikers terrorising their village.

People in Wingham say the decades-long issue is making their lives a misery, with the anti-social motorcyclists speeding along the high street and revving their engines at all hours.

Locals say the reckless behaviour is also putting lives at risk and fear someone could be killed.

Russell Graydon, the vice-chairman of Wingham Parish Council, said: “It has long been a problem. It has been highlighted by us to the police on a number of occasions.

“I’ve lived in the village for 22 years and it’s always been an issue.

“The bikers are often out before 8am on a sunny Saturday or Sunday morning. I can hear them coming over the bridge from my house.

“Officers have been attending the parish council meetings recently, which they don’t always do. We're just trying to highlight the problem with the police again.

“All we want is for them to police the issue really. At the moment they aren’t enforcing the laws that are in place.

“They always blame a lack of resources but it needs looking at.

“It is important people realise it’s not just a noise issue but more so a safety issue.”

Police say they are aware Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings are particularly troublesome, so officers will be out on patrols on Wednesdays to target offenders.

Resources are also being bolstered locally, with four new neighbourhood officers recently recruited and set to be in place by next month.

Ben Bevan, who lives in central Wingham, believes action needs to be taken to improve the lives of villagers and prevent a fatality.

“The bikes are very, very loud. I’ve definitely noticed it and it’s horrible,” he said.

“I don’t know why you can’t have a silencer - everybody else does. It’s just so selfish.

“We do realise we bought a house by the road, so I understand if people say ‘what do you expect?’, but, regrettably, I think we need to do something on the main road.

“It is only a matter of time before a child gets killed. We’ve seen people coming through here driving so fast in the middle of the day, overtaking and doing all sorts of stuff.

“I’m not sure the new community support officers will make a difference because it’s not like they are going to be out there at 4am - we just need something that’s going to slow them down.

“Even though I hate the things, perhaps we will have to put road humps down.”

Mr Bevan, 55, also raised concerns that a 20mph zone through the village is not currently adequately signposted.

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, says he is aware of the issue and will be taking it up with the county’s force.

“Tackling anti-social behaviour and dangers on our roads are priorities in my Police and Crime Plan and I am working with the force to make sure that they are addressed,” he said.

“I would encourage people to continue to report incidents to Kent Police so they can act on their reports.”

District Commander for Dover Chief Inspector Keith Taylor added: “When concerns about dangerous driving are reported to Kent Police, we regularly hold traffic enforcement operations in areas which have been highlighted as having issues.

“We also take part throughout the year in national traffic campaigns which look at the fatal four traffic offences which are speeding, using a phone at the wheel, not wearing a seatbelt and driving under the influence of drink and/or drugs.

“For example, earlier this year checks on moving vehicles were carried out in residential locations in Sandwich, Deal and Dover, resulting in at least 48 drivers stopped and reported for a number of offences, including speeding.

“As well as officers patrolling roads to reduce the risk of traffic offences, it is important that everyone plays their part when it comes to road safety. All road users are reminded that speed limits are the maximum speed they should be doing, not an instruction to remain at that speed regardless and they should certainly not exceed it.

“If residents and businesses have concerns about speeding in Wingham, we encourage them to report it to Kent Police, so it can be considered when it comes to organising further traffic operations.”