Police tackling ‘boy racers’ in Thame

THAMES Valley Police’s Thame Neighbourhood team have been highly visible around the town, aiming to deter anti-social behaviour in the town (ASB), particularly around cars being used up and down the streets in an anti-social manner, and have issued several section 59 warnings to offenders.

Section 59 of the Road Traffic Act allows an officer to seize and remove a vehicle, which he or she believes is being driven inconsiderately or carelessly and causing, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public. The police cannot seize a vehicle under this provision without first warning the driver that the vehicle will be seized if the driving persists.

These powers are increasingly being used by the police to clamp down on so-called ‘boy racers’. One boy racer in South Wales had his car seized after being issued two Section 59 notices in 28 hours, for driving dangerously in the same spot on two occasions. On June 25, 2017, an Audi R8 was seized having been spotted ‘racing up and down’ the Uxbridge Road in West London.

If a vehicle is seized, the owner will have to pay a sum to get their vehicle back, plus an amount for every day their vehicle is in storage. The amount payable depends on the size and weight of the vehicle, but the owner of a standard road car will have to pay £150 plus £20 a day for every day their vehicle is in storage.

The Thame neighbourhood team state in their latest news that (ASB) is still a high priority and that they have also issued Ccceptable Behaviour Contracts to prevent further offences. The team urges members of the public to phone 101 if they witness any anti-social behaviour in the town.

You can read the whole of the latest crime update for Thame HERE:  It includes crime prevention advise now that the days are drawing in, advise for a safe Bonfire Night, information about their collecting food donations from local shops and businesses as well as local residents, so that they can create a gift bag for the elderly residents who are part of the Thame/Chinnor/Wheatly VERA group. VERA stands for Vulnerable and/or Elderly Residents Actions.

The next Have your say’ meetings in Thame are:
PCSO Diane Jackson, Thame – Wednesday, November 22, 2-3pm, Thame Co-Op.
PCSO James Hopkin, Thame – Friday, November 17, 4-5pm, Costa Coffee, Thame.