Shocking moment reckless father is caught tearing across a field on a motorbike with a TODDLER on his lap

• A police helicopter captured footage of the 28-year-old father in Coventry
• He handed the child, not wearing a helmet, to family before trying to flee 
• The suspect was detained and has since been reported for prosecution for careless driving and riding the bike in a dangerous condition

This is the moment a reckless dad was caught on camera tearing across a field on an off-road motorbike - with a Toddler perched on his lap.

The idiotic mini-moto rider was captured by a police helicopter travelling with his two-year-old child -who was not wearing a helmet -precariously balanced on his knee.

West Midlands Police said the 28-year-old handed the child to family members after realising he was being watched by the chopper in Coventry on Sunday.

He then tried to flee across parkland from the helicopter before being stopped by officers near Old Church Lane, in Longford, where the bike was seized.

The suspect was detained and has since been reported for prosecution for careless driving and riding the bike in a dangerous condition.

The force said a referral has also been made to social services due to the potential harm the child was subjected to on the bike.

Traffic Sergeant Mitch Darby, said: 'It's hard to believe anyone would expose any child, let alone their own, to such danger.

'The child was balanced precariously on the rider's lap, obviously with no helmet or protective clothing, as he rode across grassland.

'It doesn't bear thinking about what could have happened had he lost control or the child fallen from the bike.

'Apparently the bike was a birthday present - but we've now seized it and will be looking to crush it.

'Bikes like this cannot be ridden legally on public land; they can only be ridden on private land with the landowner's permission. And they cannot be ridden on our roads.'

A total of nine motorcycles were seized by police over the Bank Holiday as part of a crackdown of off-road biker menaces.

Two quad bikes were also stopped and seized on the A34 in Shirley, West Midlands, including one being ridden the wrong was down the carriageway.

A 19-year-old was arrested for aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving. He has been released under investigation pending advice from the CPS.

The other seven bikers have all been summoned to court for driving offences and their bikes seized.

Sgt Darby added: 'We will continue our offensive against illegal off-road bikers throughout the summer.

'We know they are the bane of our communities and people want us to take action. I hope operations like this show we're listening and acting on their concerns.'