Bus threat to boy racers
BOY racers who compete in illegal high-speed chases across city centre car parks will be forced to catch the bus.
Sunday night car cruises, which take place on the car parks of the city’s retail parks and Thornes Park are attracting drivers from across the country.
At the meets, drivers show off their cars, perform tyre screeching stunts and race across car parks.
But police are clamping down on the boyracer behaviour and on Sunday a car was seized from a man from Goole – who told officers he would have to walk home after he was left stranded.
Insp Richard Close, of the Central neighbourhood police team (NPT), said: “Drivers who may think they are competent and capable of driving at speed often haven’t got the first clue about vehicle control and stability.”
“We are working with our partners to disrupt this pastime of racing around the car parks and open spaces.
“We are working to close barriers, install speed bumps and take enforcement action against illegal acts. The minimum to be expected is the seizure of the driver’s vehicle.”
He also said police were looking to use noise pollution legislation to target drivers with excessively loud exhausts.
Insp Close said: “Working together we will make Wakefield undesirable for a joy ride.
“Our message is clear – drive safely and within your capabilities, or you will be catching the bus.”
Five drivers were slapped with warnings, fixed penalty notices were issued for not wearing seatbelts and a man was arrested for breaching an anti-social behaviour order.
Coun Olivia Rowley, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for community safety and cohesion, said: “It’s easy to forget just how dangerous a car is in the wrong hands – not only to the driver and passengers but to everyone else.
“Anti-social behaviour comes in many forms, even on four wheels. This joint action sends out a clear message – we will tackle this together swiftly.”
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Weather for Wakefield
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
