The North Leamington Safer Neighbourhood Team have recently launched an operation to crack down on street racers in the area. Residents in the Binswood Avenue / Beauchamp Avenue area have complained of persistent problems with youths racing up and down the streets in their modified vehicles. On occasions large groups of young drivers have congregated in the area late at night and caused annoyance by playing loud music and revving their engines. Over recent months Police have tried to tackle the problem by advising drivers and taking notes of the registration numbers of offending vehicles. However this approach has not had the desired effect and we continue to receive complaints from residents. The team has now launched an operation in an attempt to improve the situation. Police will continue to patrol the area on a regular basis, but anyone caught using a vehicle in an antisocial manner will be dealt with robustly. In other words instead of being advised and moved on, drivers will be issued tickets or prosecuted for any breaches of the law. Anyone caught causing excessive noise can expect to receive a thirty pound fine or face prosecution.

The operation was launched at the start of May and already a number of drivers have been issued fixed penalty notices for causing excessive noise. Police also have a power to seize vehicles that are repeatedly used in an antisocial manner. We will also be looking to use this power and anyone who persistently causes problems can expect to have their vehicle taken off them. We would ask members of the public to report any instances of vehicles being used in an antisocial manner, ideally with the registration number of the vehicle in question. In this way, even if the vehicles have moved on before we can get there, we will still be able to track down the owners.

The message to young drivers is simple. If you drive sensibly and show respect for people around you, you will have nothing to worry about.