BOY RACERS who are deliberately trying to kill resting birds in a Weymouth car park have been condemned by police and conservationists.

Two herring gulls have already died in what police have described as a 'despicable act'.

People are now being urged to report rogue drivers who gather at night in the large car park off Radipole Park Drive which borders the RSPB reserve. RSPB site manager Nick Tomlinson said the birds like to sit on the concrete as it stays warm after the sun goes down. Birds have happily co-existed with cars at the site for many years although there has been a few accidents in the past.

Mr Tomlinson said: "The incident we are aware of involved a boy-racer deliberately driving into three gulls, two of which later died. It was during the evening but we were holding a bat walk on the reserve so knew about the incident straight away. There may have been other incidents at night which we may not have been told about."

"The birds died a slow death in a lot of pain, it was not very pleasant.

"This is a new phenomenon as far as I'm aware.

"We can only hope the police can catch those responsible."

Police have warned they will deal with drivers using powers which allow them to confiscate cars if they are being driven in an anti-social manner.

PC Paul Holman said: "It seems that some people think it's a good sport to set out and try and kill these birds - it's really despicable.

"As well as the birds that died we have had reports of some near misses involving young drivers.

"If anyone sees this going on please contact us and if possible make a note of the registration."