Road closed after drivers use it as 'racetrack'

South Yorkshire Police says illegal car meets and anti-social racing will not be tolerated

Police closed a road in a South Yorkshire town after drivers used it as a "racetrack" during a car meet.

Officers were called to Barnsley on Saturday night after members of the public reported people racing on local roads.

A road block was put in place, South Yorkshire Police said, with several cars seized after officers checked vehicles over.

Several drivers were given fines for illegal registration plates, tyres and modified exhausts, with four quad bikes stopped by officers with the use of a spike strip.

Insp Matt Collings, a roads policing officer, said: “We understand the passion and enthusiasm for cars, but showcasing your vehicle needs to be in a safe way, respectful of those living in the area."

He said police had built a good relationship with some groups of enthusiasts who "have come to operate really well within the boundaries of the law".

Other groups do not inform police, he said, with new gatherings "popping up".

Car cruising sees owners showing off their modified cars and can include vehicles driven in convoy, speeding, racing and the revving of engines.

On 10 August, about 50 cars were held on the A57 in Rotherham between junction 31 of the M1 and the Todwick roundabout following a car meet.

“Our message is clear," Insp Collings said.

"The roads of South Yorkshire are not a racetrack."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.