THE actions of boy racers at Sandbanks could lead to ‘someone getting killed’, according to a peninsula residents' group.
Hundreds of people reportedly watched on at the popular seafront location as cars raced around the area at high speed on Sunday night.
A Sandbanks resident, who asked to remain anonymous, witnessed some of the dangerous driving on Sunday night while they were out walking.
“It is the first time I have seen it like that,” he said.
“We have people going racing all the time but on Sunday I was a bit taken aback. There were hundreds of people in and around the car park watching.
“It is a residential area at the end of the day. This time of year there are families and kids around and it just isn’t the place for it.”
The erratic driving took place a day after five people were left seriously injured when two cars hit spectators at a car meet in Lincoln.
Dorset Police said officers attended the scene, engaged with those present and issued a traffic offence report to a 21-year-old man for an offence of driving without due care and attention. Enquiries are ongoing, a force spokesperson said.
Matt Moffat, of Sandbanks Community Group, said residents are now accustomed to the street racing.
“They wait on the straight part of the road and make sure there is no police before racing around the peninsula,” said Mr Moffat.
“It is most nights. Somebody will get killed. There are blind bends. Residents used to walk their dogs at night but many of them are too frightened to now. We have been working with police and officers do patrol the area.
"The ideal step would be putting a speed camera in Banks Road and that would probably stop it.”
Neighbourhood Inspector Dan Cullen, of Poole Police, said: “Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team continue to patrol this area as part of the Op Sandman multi-agency operation to combat anti-social behaviour. We also work with our No Excuse roads policing team and the local authority to prevent issues and take enforcement action where appropriate.
“We understand these issues cause distress and disruption to local residents and we are seeking more community information about any vehicles that drive dangerously or in an anti-social manner. If anyone has any vehicle registrations for the vehicles involved then please contact Dorset Police and we will take the appropriate action.
“If offences are identified, they will be investigated or we may use section 59 powers in relation to driving in an anti-social manner. This involves us sending a warning notice to owners whose vehicles are reported to be driving in an anti-social manner and if further reports are then received we have the power to seize the vehicle.
“Together with the local authority, we are seeking to improve our methods of identifying these nuisance drivers and vehicles, whilst taking preventative steps to stop these types of incidents taking place.”
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