POLICE officers handed out £30 fines to cyclists caught riding in a pedestrian area during a four-day operation.

Seven cyclists received the penalty tickets after being caught during the Kent police operation in Gravesend town centre last month.

More than 50 people aged under 17 who were caught had letters sent home to their parents, telling them the police had spoken to their children.

A police spokeswoman said: “Cycling on the footpath is an offence at any time. Cycling in the road becomes an offence when the barrier in New Road is down, making it pedestrian only.”

She added: “Due to the success of the initiative and the good feedback from shoppers and traders, it will be repeated frequently in the coming months.”