Public get go-ahead to dob in boy racers

By AINSLEY THOMSON

People fed-up with boy racers hooning around streets on the Coromandel Peninsula are getting the chance to dob them in.

Police have asked the public to catch the boy racers' antics on video and hand tapes in at their nearest police station.

The videos will be used to track down the car and its owner. If appropriate, charges will be laid and the car impounded.

Over summer the peninsula is a magnet for boy racers, who crowd into towns such as Whitianga and Whangamata.

Waikato police operations manager Inspector Peter Devoy said there were a lot of people who were just as frustrated by the boy racers as the police were.

"Hopefully it should be one big deterrent for these hoons, who cause major problems on the roads and disruption for thousands of homeowners trying to get a good night's sleep."

Police said asking the public to video the boy racers was within the law and any videos handed in would be admissible as evidence in court.

Mr Devoy said the concept would lessen the need for police chases.

But he warned people to make sure their videotaping did not get them into a dangerous situation.

"There is a certain degree of common sense involved.

"If the situation looks aggressive or dangerous, we would not expect people to remain there."

People handing in videos should be aware they could be called to give evidence in court.

Last week, police finished a four-week operation where boy racers were videotaped from unmarked police cars. Seven cars were impounded and the drivers face numerous driving-related charges.