Police targeted Landor Street in the Aston area of Birmingham

Three cars were impounded in Birmingham over the Bank Holiday weekend by police using new powers designed to tackle antisocial behaviour.

The first motorist whose car was taken as part of Operation Redflag had previously been secretly filmed driving at high speeds in pedestrian areas.

Sergeant Dave Smith said he hoped the exercise, which could be repeated, would send out a clear message to reckless drivers.

Driver 'upset'

He said: "Redflag is looking at reassuring the public that any antisocial use of vehicles we will clamp down on.

"We will also seize vehicles and, if we need to repeat this operation, we will do so."

The first man in the West Midlands to have his car taken under the new legislation said he was not happy about what had happened.

"I feel a bit upset obviously," said the man, who has not been named.

"Now it's going to cost me to get my car back for doing nothing."

West Midlands Police said they had aimed to seize more than the three cars that were impounded as part of the operation, but added that they hoped the exercise would send out a clear message to road racers.