JOHOR BARU: A police patrol unit was attacked by a group of enraged Mat Rempit after they were warned to stop their illegal race.

The drama unfolded when a police patrol unit from the Johor Baru (North) police headquarters in Kempas, Tampoi, was sent to stop the illegal race in Kempas following complaints from residents there.

The policemen were in a patrol car and heading back to the headquarters about 1.30am after dispersing the crowd when a group of Mat Rempit surrounded the car and began kicking and banging on it.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Ruslan Hassan said more than 20 policemen were sent to the scene after the department received a distress call from the patrol unit.

Police managed to detain 37 men. In a follow-up operation, they detained several more suspects aged between 14 and 30. They also seized 29 motorcycles.

"Although no one was hurt in the incident, police view the case seriously.

"We cannot tolerate such audacity," Ruslan said.

In Ipoh, police detained 38 Mat Rempit and confiscated 27 motorcycles and a car in an operation yesterday. Three of them tested positive for drugs.

Eleven of those detained will be charged with dangerous riding.