A POLICE officer was “taunted” by a biker after discovering a stolen moped on Canvey.

PC Ian Risden was out on patrol on the island on Sunday when he discovered an abandoned moped in a ditch in the park near Church Parade.

After pulling the moped out, he discovered it had most likely been hotwired and stolen.

During the recovery, PC Risden said another biker drove near the team and began riding erratically around the park in an attempt to intimidate them.

Thankfully, no threats were made to the team and the rider kept his distance.

But PC Risden, of the Castle Point and Rochford community policing team, has warned against the antisocial behaviour in the future.

He said: “Whilst waiting for recovery, another off road bike decided to ride around the field in an effort to taunt us.

“He was obviously not that brave as he stayed some distance away from us.

“I’m not sure he realised I had a 4k video camera, and was capturing his behaviour.”

The moped has since been recovered, with enquiries underway to find the owner.

PC Risden posted: “Officer down! Just dragged a stolen abandoned moped out of a ditch, fighting brambles, spiders and other creepy crawlies. Vehicle seized & recovered, enquiries continue.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called by a member of the public who discovered an abandoned white Kymco Super Dink moped on Church Parade, Canvey, at 2.15pm on May 12.

“Enquiries to trace the owner are ongoing.

The incident follows reports that other youths were causing a nuisance with antisocial behaviour near the tributes laid out for Denny Richardson, in Leigh Road.

Denny, 17, died after a motorbike crash in the road on May 2.

Police have received reports of youths taking drugs, driving dangerously and urinating in people’s front gardens.

Police patrols in the area increased as a result.

Anyone with information about the stolen moped should call police on 101 quoting incident 620 of May 12.