‘Boy racers are better suited to a racetrack’

Police in Pontefract have launched a clampdown on boy racers after forcing them to leave three car parks in the town.
Newspaper: Pontefract & Castleford Express.
Story: Boy racers are causing a nuisance in Pontefract and South Elmsall by using retail parks as meeting places and race tracks.
Pictured: Inspector Geoff Carter at the South Baileygate retail site (Pontefract) which is one of the locations that the police will be targeting.
Photo date: 28/07/15
Picture Ref: AB155b0715Newspaper: Pontefract & Castleford Express.
Story: Boy racers are causing a nuisance in Pontefract and South Elmsall by using retail parks as meeting places and race tracks.
Pictured: Inspector Geoff Carter at the South Baileygate retail site (Pontefract) which is one of the locations that the police will be targeting.
Photo date: 28/07/15
Picture Ref: AB155b0715
Newspaper: Pontefract & Castleford Express. Story: Boy racers are causing a nuisance in Pontefract and South Elmsall by using retail parks as meeting places and race tracks. Pictured: Inspector Geoff Carter at the South Baileygate retail site (Pontefract) which is one of the locations that the police will be targeting. Photo date: 28/07/15 Picture Ref: AB155b0715

Officers from Pontefract and Knottingley neighbourhood police team (NPT) issued dispersal orders at South Baileygate Retail Park, Pontefract Park and at the town’s Morrison’s supermarket on Sunday, August 16.

It is part of West Yorkshire Police’s Operation Motorhall which was launched last month after complaints from people living near the sites.

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Acting Insp Lee Carlson, of Pontefract and Knottingley neighbourhood police team, said: “There have been some issues with small groups of young drivers using the car park areas around Pontefract in an anti-social manner.

“If people want to drive around tarmac at speed, doing doughnuts and skidding then I would suggest they book themselves onto a recognised track day.

“This operation was only part of a campaign the police have undertaken to help the people who suffer from this type of behaviour.

“Recent changes in legislation are planned to be used to protect the areas and ultimately people will have their cars seized.”

Anyone with any information about the recent incidents or wanting to report a problem should contact the NPT on 101.