Cops' bid to drive out retail park boy racers

May 29 2008 By John Rowbotham

POLICE have carried out a major operation against boy racers who congregate at Hamilton’s Palace Grounds.

It follows numerous complaints about drivers who ‘cruise’ around the area for hours in cars with noisy exhausts and blaring stereos.

The drivers, who come from across the west of Scotland, exchange information on the Strathy Cruise website.

They had previously gathered at Strathclyde Park, but moved to the Palace Grounds because the well-lit car parks there were better for showing off their vehicles.

Police, who monitor the site, carried out the crackdown last weekend. As a result, 26 drivers will be reported to the procurator fiscal, mainly for motoring offences.

Seventeen were issued with conditional offers. This gives them the opportunity to pay a fine or face possible court proceedings.

The offers were issued in respect of offences such as faulty tyres and lights, or number plates that didn’t meet the legal specification.

Two of the drivers stopped by police were issued with an Antisocial Behaviour Order,

If they are caught driving in a reckless manner in future, they face having the vehicle they are driving impounded.

One person was reported for street drinking.

Hamilton Police and officers from Motherwell Traffic carried out the operation.

Chief Inspector Tom Aitken said the crackdown on boy racers causing a nuisance at Palace Grounds would continue. He added: “We are getting complaints on and off concerning drivers who cruise the area.

“One complaint came from a visitor to the town from England. The visitor was staying at the hotel (next to the Vue Cinema) and thought the noise from these cars was terrible.”

The cruisers usually start to gather about 7pm at weekends and don’t leave until midnight.

Hamilton North and East councillor Barry Douglas welcomed the police action. He has met with a representatives of BTW Shiells, factors of the Palace Grounds, to discuss tackling the problem. Councillor Douglas said: “They plan to put up bollards to prevent access to some parts of the car parks at night.”

Councillor Douglas has offered to meet those behind the Strathy Cruisers website.

He added: “Many of the Strathy Cruisers guys are in their late 20s or 30s who have a job and don’t cause trouble.

“However, there is a sizeable minority who cause problems by driving dangerously and going there to drink. Some businesses have complained about people urinating against the walls of their premises.”