High visibility patrols planned for the town’s Underfleet car park

Police and council officials are set to put the brakes on Seaton’s ‘boy racers’.

They are targeting irresponsible drivers who use the town’s Underfleet car park as a race track.

And they say persistent offenders risk having their vehicles seized and losing their insurance cover.

Under the new initiative, high visibility patrols will now regularly patrol the area. The crackdown will be led by Police Community Support Officer Samantha Slater. Neighbourhood Team Leader Sgt Andy Squires is co-ordinating the area-wide initiative which is also targeting nuisance drivers in other East Devon towns.

He is working with Gerry Moore, East Devon District Council’s antisocial behaviour officer.

“EDDC are on board with this to tackle the problem jointly,” said Sgt Squires. “Their civil enforcement officers are prepared to work a late shift and come out on patrol with us on pre-arranged evenings. They will be looking at parking ticket offences and damage to their property.”

Meanwhile Mr Moore has composed a letter to be handed to nuisance drivers. It will tell them the crackdown follows a number of complaints which include inconsiderate and often very fast driving around the car parks and on the roads, playing of loud music, revving of car engines and the depositing of litter from vehicles.

“Such behaviour will not be tolerated as it shows a total lack of respect for others and it is clearly affecting the quality of life of local residents, many of whom are elderly,” the letter continues.

“This could result in your vehicle being seized by police and impounded. In this case you will be charged £20 for every day your vehicle is impounded and in order to have you vehicle returned you will need to pay a set fee of £150 plus VAT.

“If action is taken by police, they will also consider contacting your insurance company. This may mean that your insurance company increases your premium or even refuses to insure you.”