Boy racers' cars could be confiscated under new laws

Ceredig Davies is urging the police to confiscate the cars under anti-social legislation as they're making people's lives in Aberystwyth "hell."

He said young people's "souped up" vehicles were giving people sleepless nights.

Police said they would act on any complaints.

Cllr Davies and town council colleague Paul James will hold talks with Dyfed-Powys Police and Ceredigion County Council's enforcement officer on 27 September.

"I've only been a councillor since June and this has been the biggest problem I have had to deal with," said Cllr Davies, a local shopkeeper.

This is a problem that a lot of communities have when young people inappropriately use cars Inspector Ian Thomas

He said the cars could be heard as late as 0300 BST.

"I've received a lot of complaints from people who are having sleepless nights because these young people's souped up Vauxhall Corsas and Ford Escorts are using roads as a race track at night.

"These people are putting lives at risk.

"The cars have large exhausts and are noisy and intrusive and under the law this could be seen as anti-social behaviour which could result in the boy-racers losing their cars.

"That's what Cllr James and I are going to discuss next week with police and the county council."

Inspector Ian Thomas of Dyfed-Powys Police in Aberystwyth said: "This is a problem that a lot of communities have when young people inappropriately use cars.

"Historically, we've discussed the issue with the young people and we've dealt with local residents' complaints.

Roads in Aberystwyth are being used as a race track, says Cllr Davies

"We've tried to have a balanced approach to this.

"But new laws under the Police Reform Act could mean, under certain circumstances, that cars could be confiscated.

"If anybody witnesses inappropriate driving please contact us and we'll act upon it."

In June, News Online reported that police in nearby Machynlleth had received a number of complaints about boy racers.

Police claimed the problem is not just confined to boy, but girl racers too, who were wheel-spinning their vehicles, racing each other and excessively accelerating.