OFFICERS from across West Mercia were out in force last night (Sunday October 19) as part of ongoing efforts to crack down on boy racers in Worcestershire.

Up to 50 officers were involved in Operation Overture - part of a continuing drive to stamp out problems with anti social drivers.

Sunday's initiative follows calls by Hagley residents who complained boy racers have been making their lives a misery by congregating on the Badgers Sett car park on Sunday evenings before racing up and down the A456 Hagley Causeway and Hagley Hill.

According to officers - the young car enthusiasts have been flocking from Stourbridge, Dudley, Kidderminster and as far away as Leominster to show off their fast cars on the streets of Worcestershire where they have been travelling in convoy and gathering at organised meets.

Acting Sergeant Leon Westwood, from the force's Operational Policing Unit, said: "A lot are generally law abiding and like to show off their cars but nuisance driving has gone up and we want to nip it in the bud before it gets worse.

"They all meet up in different places and form a convoy around the force area. Last week they went from Worcester to Kidderminster and up to Hagley - doing burn-outs, racing and all manner of ropey driving. The vast majority aren't an issue but a select few in the group spoilt it for the rest."

Officers from the Operational Policing Unit were joined by response officers, vehicle examiners and police specials on last night's operation which first targeted Weavers Wharf in Kidderminster where car enthusiasts had stopped off just before 7pm on the way to a car meet in Worcester where up to 400 vehicles were reported to have gathered.

Car fan Ryan Wilson from Kidderminster told the News: "I can understand them saying about people racing around but we were just going to an organised static car meet where car enthusiasts go."

His friend Stefan Dalton added: "You get the idiots down here but we're not all the same."

At Weavers Wharf, officers dished out leaflets to up to 40 motorists warning them to drive safe and to get illegal tyres and exhausts fixed and their cars MoT'd to avoid prosecution.

Car registration numbers were taken also and police plan to write to insurance companies about any dubious vehicle modifications.

No vehicles were seized or arrests made but officers say the night proved a further success in their fight against nuisance drivers.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell said: "It was about making sure people are aware of the anti-social nature of gatherings like this and the way they behave on and off the main roads and the trouble they cause. It was also about warning them about modifications and their insurance.

"Most people who were given general warnings about modifications and the way they drive were allowed to go on their way - it was a successful night for us."

Acting Sgt Westwood added: "We met with a number of drivers and it all passed off in good spirits. "It was more about information and warning people that nuisance driving is no longer going to be tolerated."