Dyfed Powys Police are cracking down hard on so-called ‘boy racers’ – issuing five vehicle seizure warnings in a week.
The drivers were all apprehended in the Haverfordwest area where police have mounted a pro-longed operation against a group of ‘boy racers’ in order to build a case against them.
Officers from the town’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) have been carrying out marked and covert patrols to monitor the group, which gathers in the Haverfordwest town centre area, in car parks and at the Murco petrol filling station.
Sergeant Fintan Godkin, of Haverfordwest NPT, said: “In total we have issued five seizure warnings and seized one car from this particular group who are a menace to other road users due to the reckless manner of their driving. They also cause a noise nuisance to local residents by revving their engines late at night.
“These so called ‘boy racers’ have no consideration for their own or anybody else’s safety. Despite attempts to warn them of the potentially serious or even deadly consequences of their actions they persist to behave irresponsibly.
“Their behaviour is not acceptable we won’t tolerate it and we will take proactive and robust action against them. We won’t hesitate to seize more cars from these individuals and others like them, to protect the vast majority of law abiding motorists and other road users in our county.
“We’re exploring all options open to us including fines, adding points to their licenses, and ultimately driving bans. Following any motoring convictions offenders will also bear the cost of increased premiums for their car insurance,” he added.
Where officers have witnessed incidents of driving likely to cause harm, alarm or distress they have the power to issue Section 59 Orders under the Police Reform Act 2002.
Once two Section 59 Orders have been issued to an individual, officers have the right to seize their vehicle and destroy it, if after two weeks fines have not been paid and the vehicle is not collected. Officers are also informing insurance companies that individuals have received Sec 59 Orders and are further advising them of any modifications carried out to the vehicle, which again, will increase the cost of insurance premiums to the vehicle’s owner.
Police will also issue 165 Orders under the Road Traffic Act to anybody caught driving without insurance. Offenders face a maximum of a six month custodial sentence and a £5,000 fine.
Sgt Godkin, said: “This is a priority issue; it’s an ongoing problem but we’re determined to tackle it. We’ve recently stepped-up patrols in the area using both marked and unmarked police vehicles, which has resulted in the recent vehicle seizure warnings and we will continue to target this group, if necessary, over the long term.
“I’d like to reassure the people of Haverfordwest that we’re doing all we can to tackle this issue and we’re starting to see some positive results. We’re working together with other agencies, and considering other options on how to further tackle offenders.”
He added: “It’s important that police and the local community work together to tackle this issue and I would urge people to share any information they have that would assist us in bring about arrests and prosecutions.”
Dyfed Powys Police hold regular monthly Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings throughout Pembrokeshire, which inform the community of policing priorities in their area and also gives people the opportunity to raise any matters of concern to them with police officers. Details of the next PACT meeting in your area are available on the Force website: www.dyfed-powys.police.uk or alternatively contact Dyfed Powys Police on 101.
