BOY-RACERS gave up their Felixstowe race track after police warned cars would be confiscated.More than two dozen speed freaks had been causing havoc for residents of the resort town.

BOY-RACERS gave up their Felixstowe race track after police warned cars would be confiscated.

More than two dozen speed freaks had been causing havoc for residents of the resort town.

And police are delighted their summer-long Operation Eleanor showed them the chequered flag.

But they say the troubles will be back again next summer – and are already looking at what action to take next year.

Felixstowe police commander Insp Andy Bushell said: "We sent out more than 25 letters to drivers whose numbers were taken after they were observed persistently causing a nuisance and annoyance.

"We warned them that if their behaviour continued then would face the risk of their vehicles being seized.

"It seemed to calm down the problems successfully and those drivers who were written to did not visit the seafront again.

"We did not seize any cars this time and drivers who were contacted obviously did not want to run that risk. The main aim was to keep the problems under control and keep them away and I think it worked very well.

"We know the problems will return next year and we will have to run a campaign again and we will be looking at that well in advance."

As well as the letters, fixed penalty tickets were issued for offences and traffic officers in marked and unmarked vehicles equipped with video cameras were used to catch the antics on film.

A "car clinic" was held with transport inspectors to take cars off the road and give them a thorough check with notices issued for non-roadworthiness until the defects had been dealt with.

Insp Bushell said several of the boy-racers were from Felixstowe, but others were coming from as far afield as Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Haverhill to cruise and pose on the seafront.

The aim of the campaign, run by Pc Duncan Wallace and Pc Andy Masterson, had not been to persecute them, but encourage them to behave.

Under the Police Reform Act 2002 if a person is caught on more than two occasions for anti-social behaviour in their car, police can confiscate the vehicle.

Youngsters causing nuisance in cars gather in Sea Road area, and also Clifflands, Old Felixstowe.

Police concentrated on those carrying out harsh acceleration, going 'round the circuit' in Sea Road and Langer Road, speeding, not wearing a seat belt, driving with fog lamps on, standing with engines running, sudden braking, playing music loudly – things which make lives miserable for the residents.

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