BOY racers are being targeted in a clampdown on anti-social behaviour.

Police are fed up with the noise and danger posed by cars cruising around Taunton late at night – particularly at weekends.

They say dozens of drivers of souped-up vehicles meet at Hankridge Farm Retail Park before speeding along a particular circuit including Toneway, Priory Bridge Road, Station Road, Priorswood Road, onto the Obridge Viaduct and back towards Hankridge.

While frequently using the streets as a rat run, boy racers are also causing noise disruption in the more built-up areas.

Darren Mockridge, who recently took control of the Crown and Sceptre on Station Road, said:

“We’ve only been here for three weeks and I’ve heard them when I’ve been upstairs in the flat.

“You can hear the exhausts popping down Priory Bridge Road – the sound is ridiculous.

“It’s usually at the weekend after the clubs close and they presumably drive through town to try and pick up women.”

The term boy racer refers to teenage boys or young men who repeatedly drive around streets in modified cars with noisy exhaust systems.

Neighbourhood Sgt Andy Murphy said: “We are hoping to target the anti-social behaviour aspect and are looking at different approaches.

“We are particularly looking at Hankridge Farm because they gather there every night of the week.

“They’re not just intimidating but they’re dangerous and a menace – cars get up to some speed on Toneway.

“We need to be robust in these areas and clamp down.”