BOY racers in Barnsley town centre have been warned their vehicles could be seized by police if they ignore warnings to stop driving antisocially.
Complaints have flooded in about young drivers congregating on the 838-space car park on County Way in the early evening on most days.
It has been alleged that motorists have been speeding up and down the car park in evenings uninhabited because there is no barrier to prevent them access.
But under section 59 of the Police Reform Act, officers can seize vehicles if their registration plate is flagged up twice in a 12-month period and Acting Sergeant John Crawford said the car park and those who mis-use it will be receiving more police attention.
“We are aware of what’s been happening and it’s something we are watching. We drive past whenever we’re out and that will continue,” he said.
“They have already been moved from McDonald’s car park on Old Mill Lane and are now using County Way as a meeting place.
“Section 59 of the Police Reform Act is a good tool to have as it enables us to firstly issue warning notices to anyone caught driving in an antisocial manner.
“If they ignore that warning, or do take note but are caught doing it again within 12 months, the vehicle will be seized. The registration plate is flagged up to the police.”
Businesses nearby and motorists who park their vehicles at County Way have been asked to report further incidents to the police to build up a better picture of cars which are regularly using the car park on an evening.
It’s hoped information will be relayed back to police, as they were at a similar series of incidents at Robert Street car park in Cudworth, where businesses recorded footage of cars responsible and collated registration plates before police issued warning notices.
Another measure in the pipeline is the use of public space protection orders (PSPOs), which are designed to deal with problematic behaviour in a particular area and allow councils to introduce restrictions on the use of the area to make sure that people can enjoy the space, safe from antisocial behaviour.
PSPOs, which came into force in certain parts of the town centre in March 2016 and were used to stop drunks congregating in town centre car parks, have been hailed as a reason why antisocial behaviour figures have reduced in the area by 21 per cent, according to police.
On average, there are now 56 incidents a month in the town centre - still more than two a day but down from 122 incidents at its peak at the end of 2016.
Anyone found flouting PSPOs, which are enforced by both the police and council, can find themselves fined up £100 or up to £1,000 if prosecuted in court.
