POLICE will launch a crackdown on boy- racers causing a nuisance in Malton this week.

Long running problems with young motorists using Wentworth Street car park as a gathering point have sparked a number of initiatives to beat the noisy menace.

Night time barriers and the setting up of a group of sanctioned drivers, called the Malton Cruisers, have been measures adopted to try to stem the number of complaints from local residents in the past.

Now police, council officials and the fire service have joined forces for a day on Friday to talk to drivers and show CCTV footage of irresponsible use of the public facility.

PC Jane Jones, from Malton police, who has helped organise the event, said: “We want to send out a strong message to the so called ‘boy-racers’.

“We don’t want to stop them using the car park, we just want them to use it lawfully and consider how their actions are affecting others when they are in the area.

“We hope the day will be well attended by young car drivers and residents alike and we can work towards trying to find a solution to these ongoing problems by involving all relevant agencies.”

Officials will be stationed at the car park on Friday and will be gathering views from drivers and local residents.

She added: “We understand that the majority of the young car drivers in the area are not causing the problems, and in fact the self regulating Malton Cruisers are supporting our efforts on the day and will be present. We hope the day is well attended and that all leave knowing that we will not tolerate improper use of the car parks and roads in Ryedale.

“All agencies that are part of the Safer Ryedale partnership are sending this message out together, and we hope the day is the beginning of the end to the problems in Wentworth Street car park.

Anyone wishing for more information about events on the day should contact Emily Murphy, from Safer Ryedale, on 01653 600120.