Antisocial car drivers target of clampdown

7:00pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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RECKLESS motorists in Purbeck are being targeted by police in a drive to reduce accidents.

Plain-clothed officers are monitoring speeding drivers and moped riders who zoom around the centres of Upton, Wareham and Swanage.

They say with more visitors to the area over the summer and people staying out later due to the longer evenings, there is a higher chance of accidents.

Inspector Ashley Adams, section commander for Purbeck, said: "We have caught offenders performing reckless and unnecessary acts - screeching brakes and using small roads as circuits for a cruise.

"We won't accept this type of behaviour.

"It disturbs local residents and even though some are not breaking the speed limit, their driving behaviour is inappropriate."

Bob McGhee, Swanage Post Office manager and Chamber of Trade treasurer, said the town's small centre exacerbated the potential dangers of careless driving.

He said: "They can burn around at 45mph, when people usually potter about at 20mph at the most.

"In the summer there are more pedestrians about and it does become more of a threat."

Simon Thomson, chairman of the Lytchett Minster and Upton Community Association, said Upton's roads were "absolutely awful" at certain times.

He said: "People go around at a terrible speed and you can hear motorbikes screeching off at night."

Mr Thomson also highlighted Upton's notorious double roundabout as a danger hot spot as driver often speed across it without care.

Police have already handed out four orders for antisocial driving in the past few months.

Under the orders, if a driver is found to be driving in a manner that is likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public, they will be issued with a warning.

Should the driver repeat the offence within 12 months, the vehicle will be seized and removed.

In Swanage, one man in his 20s has had two high performance cars seized.

• What do you consider the most antisocial driving offences? Email us at newsdesk@bournemouthecho.co.uk