Market Drayton police to crack down on speeding drivers and boy racers
Police will use new powers to crack down on speeding motorists and boy racers following a rise of complaints in one of Shropshire's market towns.
Motorists breaking the law in Market Drayton could face being fined, prosecuted or potentially have their vehicles seized if caught, said Constable Mick Sturland, of the town's safer neighbourhood team.
Groups of boy racers are congregating on car parks and using them as race tracks, according to police. It comes after safety campaigners in the town claimed this week they had clocked one motorist driving at 76mph in a 30mph zone.
Constable Sturland said officers were using driver and vehicle warnings and seizures to combat the problem and any complaints made again within 12 months could mean vehicle seizures.
He added new powers allow officers to deal with problems in public spaces that have a "detrimental effect on the quality of life of the local community".
Constable Sturland said: "If people do not comply, police or accredited council officers can issue penalties of £100 or prosecute them.
"Work is ongoing to explore this new power as a way of tackling the issue long term. What I and my team can do is, in effect, a short term answer.
"Members of the public should keep calling in with reports of anti-social driving and noise.
"Ideally we need registration numbers so we can act later if we can't attend straight away."
He said: "Groups of so-called boy racers have been congregating in the car park at Towers Lawn for as long as I have been here.
"The problem comes and goes and unfortunately we are seeing a rise in complaints."
It comes after Market Drayton Road Safety Group said it has recorded thousands of drivers breaking the speed limit in Shrewsbury Road and Adderley Road in the town.
Chris Smith, of the campaign group, said the figures were compiled for the town council and local police and showed drivers were exceeding the speed limits with one driver doing 76mph.
Mr Smith is calling for greater public participation in identifying other speeding hotspots because it can be moved to different locations. He also said the committee needed more members.
Earlier this year, police issued a similar appeal calling for people to get in touch about issues of boy racers. The problems saw residents near the Towers Lawn and Queens Street car parks complain about engine noises late at night.
Anyone with information about anti-social driving should call police on 101.
