A 'BOY RACER' has defended his and his mates' use of a Malton car park, insisting his pals are being unfairly treated.

Local residents living near Wentworth Street say youths have caused misery by revving engines and performing noisy tricks in the car park at night.

And in a police clampdown CCTV cameras have been installed and letters have been sent to those caught on film.

One of these youngsters, Will Smith, from Westow, said they are just motor fans and meet there to swap news and show off their modified cars.

"We are not doing anything wrong but there are some from out of the group that turn up, make a lot of noise then drive off again, " said the 22-year-old engineer.

"I can understand why some might think that we are causing trouble but it's just a meeting point for people who have the same hobby.

"It's tarring us all with the same brush and the problem would be solved if there was somewhere for us to go away from the town."

Police say that since they have contacted the youths they have not received any complaints of anti-social behavior in the area.

A group of 32 young people who gather in the car park made an impromptu visit to Malton police station to air their views with officers.

Will added: "We got these letters saying that we have been driving dangerously and the car exhausts are too noisy.

"I felt aggrieved because I wasn't even driving my car and I had borrowed my father's car on that night. That certainly isn't noisy.

"We all felt that this was unfair so about 30 of us went to the police station to talk to them.

"I reckon they were a bit surprised to see so many of us but they listened to what we had to say."

At a meeting of Ryedale District Council's community services committee, councillors agreed to spend £5,000 to install barriers at three of the four exits from the Wentworth Street car park.

It is hoped it will deter boy racers who have been disappearing through multiple exits when officers arrive in the area.

But police said they have not had any complaints from residents in the area since September 20.

Acting Sgt Anna Rees from Malton police station said: "We identified the young people through their registration plates captured on CCTV footage.

"After we sent out letters to these people one of them rang to say he wanted to see us to sort the problem out.

"The meeting went well and it was great to get a dialogue going with these young people - we want to work with them.

"Officers and representatives from the council will be going out in the mobile van to chat with the young people on Friday night.

"We hope that we can continue this dialogue which will be of benefit to residents in the area."

The barriers are due to go up later this month and they will be locked between 6.30pm until 6am, seven days a week. The remaining exit will stay unblocked at all times.

And Ana Richards, of Safer Ryedale, hopes that it the barriers that will solve the problem.

She said: "Boy racers are mobile, and move around anyway. They go to the Market Place in Malton, then Wentworth Street and sometimes St Nicholas Street.

"I am hopeful there is not going to be a huge increase elsewhere once the barriers go up, but we will monitor the situation very closely and if problems are occurring we will look at targeting them."