COMBINED efforts to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour in car parks have been welcomed by East Devon District Council.

COMBINED efforts to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour in car parks have been welcomed by East Devon District Council.

Police, EDDC and residents' groups are focussing on a number of issues including boy racers, litter and underage alcohol consumption.

Problems were discussed at a meeting of the district council's scrutiny committee last week. The committee considered implications of installing a barrier and landscaping car parks at Manor Road in Sidmouth and Land of Canaaan in Otterty St Mary.

Potential costs of installing physical barriers to hamper irresponsible driving in the Manor Road car park were estimated to be around £25,000.

From October 1 Ottery's Land of Canaan and Hind Street car parks will see their lights switched off daily from 11pm to 6am in a bid to curb problems in the town.

Scrutiny committee chairman Roger Giles said: "Whilst we recognise that anti-social behaviour is caused by a minority and that most motorists and young people are law abiding, we need to introduce measures that will tackle any anti-social activities which make life unpleasant for residents and visitors."

"I am pleased that all parties involved recognise that something needs to be done and that progress is being made to address the problem."

At the meeting Inspector Jim Gale paid tribute to Sidmouth's police officers in tackling the town's boy racer problem. He added: "We will talk to other neighbourhood policing teams with a view to what has happened in Sidmouth where we have had some success.