POLICE have begun to clamp down on the "boy-racers" blighting the lives of people in Malton.

For years, the town's Wentworth Street car park has been associated with anti-social behaviour, gangs of youths and vandalism.

In just eight days in September, North Yorkshire Police recorded 27 incidents in and around the car park. The vast majority, 21, were due to the activities of "boy-racers", and took place after 6pm and into the early hours.

Now police and the council want to install night-time barriers to help them catch the troublemakers in the act.

In the past, officers have been frustrated because whenever a marked police car arrives at one entrance to the car park, the youths drive out of one of the other three entrances and melt into the night.

Mark Sissons, the council's operations liaison officer, said: "For quite some time now boy-racers' have been descending on Wentworth Street car park during the evening, and committing anti-social behaviour with their vehicles, this includes playing loud music, driving round the car park in a noisy and aggressive manner, and dropping large amounts of food-related litter.

"This behaviour has blighted the lives of local residents who have complained in numbers.

"Council officers have carried out patrols during the evening and have witnessed first-hand what occurs in the car park after hours. During one evening patrol when, the drivers realised they were being observed they left the car park via all four exits."

Ana Richards, Ryedale's community safety manager, said: "The installation of barriers is a key part of a series of measures to address the anti-social behaviour. The necessity for the barriers has been identified to prevent groups of boy-racers' exiting from the three other exits when the police car is seen."

The three barriers would be closed from 6pm in the evening until 6am the following morning, seven days a week.

Wentworth Street car park has also been made a part of North Yorkshire Police's Operation Endive, which targets anti-social behaviour hotspots.

Officers spent 11 hours there on September 8 and 9, and in that time issued five encounter forms and a penalty notice for littering, and made one arrest for driving while disqualified.

Registration numbers of cars thought to be used by "boy-racers" were recorded, and a stern letter sent to the owner.

A fixed dome CCTV camera has also been installed, to record evidence to support a prosecution.

The clamp-down comes after nearby residents sent a 66-signature petition to the police and council demanding action.

Other organisations, including the Fitzwilliam Estate, the fire and ambulance services and JB Motors Malton have also all given their support to the scheme.

Councillors will be asked to approve the installation of the barriers - which will cost about £5,000 - tomorrow (Thursday).