POLICE are clamping down on young drivers who are turning a shopping complex car park into a trials track.

For some weeks, young drivers have been congregating in the Arnison Centre car park, in Durham, to carry out dangerous night-time manoeuvres.

After performing hand-brake turns, and spinning cars around the large car park some then go on to race along the A167 where a number of drivers have been caught travelling at speeds of up to 115mph.

The drivers have even set up their own website, flagging up the car park venue which has been turned into their main North-East meeting point with up to 150 vehicles arriving during the evenings.

The activities have brought hundreds of complaints from residents both living near the shopping centre and those in homes along the A167. In addition to the driving antics, it is also creating a litter problem.

Yesterday, Inspector Dick Dodds, of Durham Constabulary, outlined some of the measures which are to be introduced to stop the centre being used as a racetrack.

He said the car park was a wide open area and after the shops closed, young drivers were arriving from as far as Whitby, Jarrow and Blyth.

"We have therefore been gathering intelligence and are now using unmarked cars equipped with video cameras," he said.

The aim of the police operation was to persuade the drivers to stop their activities. Many had already been spoken to and issued with warnings.

Insp Dodds said officers would issue penalties to those caught speeding on the A167. Those found offending after they had been given a warning would have their vehicles confiscated.

He added: "Though these activities are caused by a minority, the police and local residents will not tolerate this type of behaviour and we will continue this operation for many weeks to come until we solve this problem."