WORCESTER - The Police Department is out to nip in the bud a growing cause for complaint: teenagers riding bicycles recklessly.

Police officers have begun confiscating bikes from teen riders creating a danger on city streets and will continue to do so, according to Police Chief Steven M. Sargent.

He said officers will also make arrests, if warranted, for disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct.

In addition, the department has created a task force to address the problem, with a focus on education and enforcement. "Officers will be proactive in stopping the behavior," Chief Sargent promised.

The department has received numerous complaints recently about teens riding bikes into oncoming traffic and veering away at the last minute - a new trend called "swerving."

The chief said some of the bicyclists also do wheelies and other stunts on busy streets. And, he said, such behavior puts the public at risk.

Chief Sargent said officers responding to complaints have found teens biking in groups of 5 to 20.

He said reckless riding has been reported across the city, with many complaints coming from Grafton Hill, Union Hill and downtown.

"Since these incidents began emerging, our officers have launched an investigation in an attempt to identify the teens involved in these groups and have worked to pinpoint patterns of behavior," Chief Sargent wrote in a report that goes before the City Council Tuesday night. "Officers have also gathered intelligence by focusing on social media sites.

"After reviewing reports relating to these incidents, we have found that teens are engaging in a dangerous new trend called swerving," he continued. "This new trend has been reported by municipalities and police departments across the country. This new trend is potentially deadly and putting the general public at risk."

Chief Sargent said police officers have also found the teens engaging in other "dangerous behaviors," including purposely blocking both lanes of travel - causing traffic jams in the process - and surrounding cars so motorists cannot move forward.

In addition, the Police Department has responded to several reports of damaged and vandalized bikes that are part of the bike-sharing program, ofo, that was introduced in the city Sept. 14, he said.

Given the urgency of the situation, Chief Sargent said, the Police Department has created a task force to address the problem.

He said officers from each shift have been assigned to focus on these incidents and respond to complaints. He said the task force, which will include police patrolling on bicycles, will do both education and enforcement.

"Officers will be visible patrolling neighborhoods in the city on bicycles," Chief Sargent said. "We believe the advantages of bike patrol officers will help increase communication with the teens, allow officers to navigate swiftly around congested areas and possibly encounter crime as it is happening."

In the past week, the chief said, police have confiscated a dozen bikes from teen riders. He said that will continue as needed.

He added that if riders are breaking the law and putting the public at risk, "officers will make arrests."

Chief Sargent said the department will collaborate with Worcester public schools to educate students and parents about the potential dangers of reckless bike-riding. He said the department will also launch a social media campaign aimed at teens.

The problem is similar to what the city experienced a few years ago with the illegal use of all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes on city streets. Dangers arose when riders, who often traveled together in packs, rode up and down city streets doing wheelies and weaving in and out of traffic.

That led the City Council to adopt an ordinance governing the use and storage of ATVs and dirt bikes. Within a few months, police made 23 arrests, confiscated 85 vehicles and issued 116 citations. Within a year, the problem of reckless riding of ATVs and dirt bikes on city streets had dropped significantly, police said.