Five motorbikes have been seized and four people arrested after police chased a large group of people "riding very dangerously" on bikes.

Reports suggest about 30 riders were involved in this morning's chase that started in Medway and ended on Sheppey, with the police helicopter called in to help keep track of them.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called following a report of a group of nuisance mopeds and quad bikes in the Medway area at around 11am on Sunday.

"Officers attended and, with the assistance of a police helicopter, the bikes were tracked to the Queenborough area of the Isle of Sheppey.

"Four people have been arrested on suspicion of various offences, with one other reported for summons, and five motorbikes seized.

"Enquiries are ongoing to determine any further offences committed by any other riders involved."

Numerous people took to social media to ask what was going on when they heard and saw the helicopter flying low over homes in the Chatham area.

The bikers had been spotted in Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham.

One said: "There's a group of about 30 teenagers riding very dangerously on mopeds, dirt bikes & quad bikes.

"It's following them, we were behind a little while ago."

Another added: "They ran the red lights at Rochester train station doing u turns in the road – whilst people with children were trying to cross."

Natalie White also saw them. She posted: "It was pandemonium, they absolutely scared my young children in the back of my car."

A tweet by the Kent Police rural unit added: "Multiple Kent Police units worked together this afternoon following reports off road motorcycles and quads been ridden in an antisocial manner.

"Investigations ongoing and arrest have been made."

This weekend, police also stopped an Audi and other motorists speeding along the A249 in Queenborough.

Officers were handed additional powers under a dispersal order to deal with drivers across Sheppey and Sittingbourne.

Meanwhile, in Maidstone, barriers were installed earlier this month to prevent nuisance bikers using a path near playing fields.

People living in the Mangravet area said the noise from their machines had made life hell.