Cycling on the prom could spark £1,000 fine

Coastal control officer Patrick Meyer said on Monday he is beginning a zero-tolerance campaign against cyclists on the promenade.

Anyone caught cycling now faces a 500-1,000 fine.

Bike users are officially banned from the prom but in the past Mr Meyer has turned a blind eye if they are cycling responsibly and not creating any danger.

But he said he will now enforce the ban to the letter of the law in a bid to stop BMX bikers who are causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to infrastructure. Mr Meyer said: "This weekend alone there has been 600 worth of damage.

"They are damaging walls around the De La Warr, the Colonnade and the shelters. Bins are being damaged, paving slabs cracked and there's also a lot of graffiti."

The bikers and skateboarders damage walls by grinding alongside them and performing BMX stunts.

Mr Meyer said: "There's no justification for it. They have a designated skate park now up at the High school which they should be using instead of wrecking the seafront.

"I want responsible cycle users to know I'm not doing this to be awkward or a jobsworth but to stop this minority of idiots.

"It's a shame it has had to happen like this but I feel it's the only course of action left."

Toilet vandals cost tax payers 22,000 a year: page 12.