POLICE are clamping down on convoys of cars using the streets of Woodbridge like a racetrack – making it look more like Southend than an upmarket riverside town.

By Jessica Nicholls

POLICE are clamping down on convoys of cars using the streets of Woodbridge like a racetrack – making it look more like Southend than an upmarket riverside town.

Community policeman Robin Pivett said Woodbridge police are now clamping down on gangs of youngsters in cars cruising the narrow streets of the market town.

He said the youngsters have already had several warnings but he is now ready to prosecute if the convoys continue and any motoring offences take place.

Up to eight cars at a time ranging from Ford Fiestas to Peugeot 306 models can be seen doing circuits of the town throughout the evening.

The gangs are then said to congregate in the Hamblin Road car park playing loud music until late at night disturbing residents living nearby.

In the seaside town of Southend, Essex police face a constant battle with hundreds of motorists who come from all over the country to show off their cars and cruise along the seafront, which is a well known meeting point.

Although Woodbridge has a problem on a far smaller scale, Pc Pivett said that as well as the nuisance factor the convoys are a danger and has decided it is time to clamp down before someone is injured.

He said: "This is a danger and we have to do something before there is an accident.

"There is a danger to residents of Woodbridge as well as the drivers of the cars and the passengers with them."

Pc Pivett said the youngsters, who are generally aged between 17 and 25 years old, do circuits of the town along the winding streets including New Street and Church Street and down to the Hamblin Road car park.

Although he said he does not believe any of them go over the speed limit, Pc Pivett said: "With these roads it is difficult to speed but they are going at excess speeds in relation to the conditions of the roads.

"It is a long time since we had a serious accident in Woodbridge and that is how we want it to stay."

Police are now sending out letters to the drivers of the owners to warn them not to continue the trend.

Pc Pivett said: "We are not out to persecute motorists, we just want them to drive safely and this has got to stop."