Carol Hobden from the Tamworth YHA Hostel said her brother, Des Blanch, who is in a wheelchair, has had many near misses from people on skateboards and bikes and scooters in Peel St.

Ms Hobden said it was also an issue with people leaving stores on Peel St because when you’re walking out of a shop and bikes are going past quickly, you can step out and nearly be hit by them.

“I have seen them hit a pram,” she said. “They should be banned in the CBD.”

Ms Hobden said the other issue was for the safety of the cyclists or scooter riders because they sometimes rode straight out onto the pedestrian crossings and motorists did not have time to see them and stop. She had seen them nearly hit a number of times.

Shop owner Margaret Edwards said she also thought it was quite dangerous.

“Anyone walking out of the store is in danger of being hit as they ride past,” she said.

“It’s just dangerous and it’s not only school holidays, it’s any time really.

Other shop owners said they had seen children using their skateboards at the skate park and thought that was a great place for them to hang out.

However the problem has become so bad in Peel St, Ms Hobden, together with main street store owners, have started a petition.

Tamworth Police have issued a warning to people displaying anti-social behaviour or people who are harassing those who are going about their business in the street, that they have the power to move them on.