Boy racers in Market Drayton: Barriers proposed to crack down on anti-social driving

The installation of barriers in places such as Towers Lawn car park in Market Drayton is just one of the options being looked at to tackle the town's boy racer issue.

The issue has been causing a problem in the town for years, with residents complaining about engine noise late at night.

Previous attempts to tackle the issue have included installing CCTV in Towers Lawn car park and holding a drivers' awareness event.

The issues was discussed at a meeting between police and Shropshire Council on Monday.

Constable Mick Sturland, of the Market Drayton safer neighbourhood team (SNT), said: "The meeting surrounded the ongoing problems with boy racers and anti-social driving.

"The SNT have issued six warning notices in the last 12 months and seized two vehicles.

"The mobile CCTV has assisted to some degree but not resolved the problem and together with Shropshire and town councils, we are looking to other measures to resolve the problem including engineering a solution which could include barriers."

Roger Hughes, Shropshire councillor for Market Drayton, said barriers were one of the options that has been mentioned, but wasn't sure if it would be possible.

Police said that they take incidents of dangerous driving "very seriously" and have urged members of the public who see similar incidents to contact them.

"The police will continue to monitor and act on reports of anti-social driving," Constable Sturland said.

"We have powers to seize vehicles being driven in an anti-social manner which could result in a £150 cost to recover a seized vehicle plus storage costs on top of any criminal justice proceedings for road traffic offences.

"Obviously these things take time and there is a due process to be followed but I am hopeful at some point in the not too distant future, we can resolve this anti social behaviour for the residents close by and the wider community."

In 2015 police said they would use new powers to crack down on speeding motorists and boy racers following a rise of complaints in Market Drayton. Last summer, the town's first ever Drayton Drivers event was attended by more than 60 people.

Mal Price, Shropshire Council cabinet member added: "A partnership meeting was held on January 16 with West Mercia Police and representatives from Shropshire Council to assess the action taken over the 12 months and develop a further action plan."