Malton residents anger over nuisance boy racers in Wentworth Street car park (From Gazette & Herald)

Malton residents anger over nuisance boy racers in Wentworth Street car park

11:50am Wednesday 4th November 2009

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POLICE and council officers have agreed to meet with angry residents who say their lives are being made a misery by boy racers.

The residents of Smithson Court in Malton say the youngsters congregate in Wentworth Street car park on a nightly basis, often until the early hours of the morning.

As well as the noise problem, they fear the youths are also drinking alcohol and taking drugs.

John Alexander, 63, a retired lorry driver, said the problem often started as early as five in the afternoon with vehicles racing through the car park entrances.

“Two of the cars go one way and the others the other way trying to beat each other,” he said. “Then there’s the loud exhausts and music thumping which carries on until two or three in the morning.”

Mr Alexander, who has lived in Smithson Court for 13 years, said one new resident already wanted to move out.

“We are all fed up with it happening every night of the week.”

Fellow resident Sylvia Marshall said she got up for work at five every morning and was not getting any sleep because of the noise.

“They are racing in and out all night, it’s a wonder no-one has been killed.

“I just wish they would show some consideration for the people that live here.”

Mr Alexander added that he felt this weekend’s Wheels in Winter event, organised by the Ryedale Road Safety Group, had been poorly thought out and would encourage the boy racers.

“What’s going to happened when the police have gone?

“The boy racers are going to be back out and using the car park as a skid pad.”

However Sgt Steve Pearse of the Safer Ryedale Partnership said the event’s aim was to encourage responsible driving.

“Short-term enforcement campaigns are still part of a plan and anyone found contravening the law by driving carelessly, too fast, or in a nuisance manner, will be dealt with robustly,” he said.

“Surely it is in everyone’s interest to ensure that all road users are educated in the best way to avoid accidents occurring in the first place.”

Sgt Pearse added that he had already spoken to some of the residents regarding their concerns.

“I am looking at holding a meeting early next month with representatives from the council in a bid to solve the situation,” he said.

Mark Sissons, operations liaison officer for Ryedale District Council, said they were committed to working with residents and the police to fit a solution that suited everyone.

“This is a problem across the district and we are looking at various ways to reduce anti-social behaviour,” he added.

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