Police to clampdown on 'boy racers' in Wentworth Streeet car park, Malton

12:04pm Wednesday 9th December 2009

By Karen Darley

NUISANCE ‘boy racers’ who have blighted the lives of residents for years are to be tackled in a new clampdown by police.

Angry residents met officers this week in a bid to solve the problem which, they say, is making their lives a misery.

Householders near Wentworth Street car park in Malton say youngsters congregate in the area each night, playing loud music and racing each other.

At a packed meeting with police and council officers on Monday, residents said they had complained about the situation on a regular basis.

Jane Smith said she had lived in the area for more than a decade and had given up phoning the police.

Smithson Court resident Sylvia Marshall said she gets up for work at 5am every day but is often kept awake until the early hours by the noise.

“This morning there were two cars outside at 1am revving and blasting music out. It starts at 10pm then carries on with car after car whizzing in and out.”

Sgt Steve Pearse, of the Safer Ryedale Partnership, said the police were listening and a lot of work was ongoing to address the problems.

“I would encourage people to ring, as that way we record that there is a problem and we are here to help.”

Sgt Pearse added that while closing the car park altogether was not an option, enforcement would only work in the short-term.

“We have secured some funding and the partnership, together with other agencies, is looking to work with residents to try to address the problem.”

Sgt Pearse said that a semi-permanent barrier near the Showfield Lane entry to limit access to the car park at night, a crocodile access control, the installation of additional lighting and CCTV and the resiting of the recycling bins were being considered.

“This will significantly reduce the area available for speeding and handbrake turns,” Sgt Pearse added.

Pharmacist Nick Caddy, who lives off Peasey Hill, said yesterday that he could clearly hear the screeching of tyres up to 3am, despite being some distance from the car park.

“I feel very sorry for people who live in Smithson Court,” he added, saying the problem had got worse in the past two years.

The speeding problem, he believed, was not confined to the car park, but also affected neighbouring streets.

“One of my concerns is that if the problem is moved from Wentworth Street, they will target other areas such as St Nicholas Street car park.

“Many of these cars have dropped suspension and the drivers won’t want to go any faster than 2 or 3mph or it will shake their cars to bits.”

Mr Caddy pointed out that the problem had increased in Wentworth Street car park since the speed bumps were introduced in the Market Place.

Sgt Pearse said that all consequences would be considered before any action was taken.

Speaking after the meeting, John Alexander, who had initially raised concerns with the police, said he felt it haD gone fairly well.

“I didn’t realise how many people were affected or how widespread the problem was but hopefully what the police and council are planning to do might improve things.”

Mr Alexander, who presented a petition to the police and Ryedale District Council, said he was prepared to give the proposals a chance to see if they worked.

“We will see what happens and if the situation still doesn’t improve I will take it further.”