BOY RACERS who terrorise residents with loud music and high speeds could have their vehicles confiscated - Dorchester's police chief warned today.

Inspector Les Fry, Dorchester section commander, said that there was a growing number of complaints from people about young drivers - usually men - driving at high speeds through estates in the town and playing loud music in car parks until the early hours. He said: "We are concerned about the growing number of complaints we have received from the Maiden Castle Road area and the Top o' Town car park about boy racers.

"The complaints usually involve drivers and it's usually young men in cars they have souped up to make them look more powerful than they are.

"The complaints mainly concern these drivers speeding down roads - particularly Maiden Castle Road where they use the traffic calming measures as chicanes - and generally causing a nuisance.

"We are also receiving complaints from residents about the loud music coming from the cars."

He said that under powers from the Police Reform Act 2002 officers were entitled to confiscate vehicles being used in an anti-social way or being driven in such a way that it causes alarm or distress to members of the public.

"We have a record of several cars that we are concerned about already and we will be taking action on these people. Initially, drivers will receive a warning; after that we will be seizing their vehicles.

"They may or may not get the vehicle back but if they do get it back they will have to pay a large sum.

"These drivers are causing a nuisance to residents and we plan to put a stop to it."

He warned that drivers of mini-motorbikes could also have their vehicles seized if they cause a nuisance.

Anyone with concerns about boy racers should contact Dorchester Police on 01305 222222.