BOY racers in Sidmouth have had the pressure heaped on them to drive responsibly following a police crackdown.

BOY racers in Sidmouth have had the pressure heaped on them to drive responsibly following a police crackdown.

Five people below the age of 25 have been caught racing around the streets in the past few weeks and have been issued with warnings.

Sidmouth Police's Neighbourhood Team along with the Exeter Roads Policing Unit mounted the anti-social driving sting following concerns from residents.

Sergeant Andy Turner, of Sidmouth Police, said: "The Sidmouth area has always been an attraction to young drivers as a place to meet and socialise. Unfortunately a small group of these young drivers see it as a place to use their vehicles in an anti social manner.

"In the past few weeks the joint operations have a seen a number of prosecutions and measures against the groups causing the anti-social behaviour. "

He said a similar crackdown around the seafront and Manor Road areas in 2009/08 saw the problem almost "completely disappear".

One of the drivers reprimanded during the recent operation, a Honiton man, had his vehicle seized and will also receive a summons for careless driving.

Sergeant Turner added that a further six drivers also received fixed penalty notices for other driving offences such as lack of driving control, using a mobile phone and seat belt offences.