Boy racer could have quad bike crushed

A 20-year-old boy racer could see his quad bike crushed after it was taken off the road in a police crackdown on anti-social driving.Safer Neighbourhood Team officers in Wells acted after receiving complaints about revving engines and screeching tyres along the quay, Freeman Street and Beach Road.

A 20-year-old boy racer could see his quad bike crushed after it was taken off the road in a police crackdown on anti-social driving.

Safer Neighbourhood Team officers in Wells acted after receiving complaints about revving engines and screeching tyres along the quay, Freeman Street and Beach Road.

Sgt Andy Smith said the problems were caused by a minority within a group of 15-20 youngsters who gather on the quayside car park during the evenings.

He said the owner of the quad bike seized last Thursday night had previously been warned for an offence in another vehicle and must now pay storage and recovery costs of up to �570.

If the fines are not paid and the vehicle is not collected after three weeks, it could be destroyed by police.

Sgt Smith said: “There is other legislation we can use for dangerous driving, but this is more for when the youths are causing annoyance. If we can prove they are speeding then we can deal with it that way.

“It is a very small minority. The group which congregates on the quay are mostly decent kids, but there are one or two who have vehicles and treat them like a new toy.

“We are not just concentrating on the group on the quay - we intend to target anyone in the area who drives their vehicle in this manner.”

Sgt Smith said police patrols and CCTV would also be used to prevent anti-social behaviour which could lead to careless or dangerous driving and endanger other road users.