Essex Police has been accused of overlooking inconsiderate and potentially dangerous behaviour by cyclists - but the force says it is doing all within its power to deal with the problems when resources allow.

By committing offences such as cycling on the pavement or failing to stop at a red light, cyclists are now subject to a £50 fixed penalty notice.

But a resident from Southchurch Avenue, Southend, who asked not to be named, believes the fine is not only being ignored by the police but is also “being sanctioned by default by both the council and local police.”

Police Inspector Bill Potter said: “Logistically, it can be difficult to challenge cyclists in patrol cars, as often they are travelling in the opposite direction or chose to use parts of the highway which vehicles cannot access.

“The decision to stop a cyclist can, on occasion, be more disruptive to overall safety.

“Retrospective action can of course be problematic as cyclists are often not identifiable.

“However, Essex Police has not made any conscious decision to stop prosecuting cycling offences and we will deal with contraventions of the law as robustly as is appropriate, given the specific circumstances and individuals involved at that time.”

Southend councillor Mark Flewitt said: “My opinion that dangerous and inconsiderate cycling is of course wrong.

“But if you report to the police they will ask what evidence you have, and of course bikes have no registration of any kind,so its near on impossible.

“Rarely have there been enough police officers to deal with everything that is reported and they can’t be waiting on the streets for infringements to occur because we know it’s not a good use of their time.

“The lack of officers available to deal with it is clearly a contributory factor.

“The Government need to give more funding to the police.

“It won’t stop infringements but it would certainly help toprevent it if the police were better resourced.”

An Essex Police spokesperson said:“We appreciate that cycling on the pavement is both technically illegal and can in some incidents risk injury to pedestrians.

“If officers see that behaviour on patrol we will of course take action to stop it.

“However, our response to incidents reported to us will always focus first on those which pose the highest levels of threat, risk and harm.”