TODAY is D-Day for boy racers in Blackwood as new powers are being sought to tackle the problem that plagued the town centre for 15 years.

A decision to bring in tough new measures, designed to stop groups of boy racers from gathering, was due to be decided by Caerphilly council's cabinet today.

Gwent police want to issue dispersal notices to boy racers who congregate in the town, and need permission from the council to go ahead with the move.

Dispersal notices give police officers and community support officers the power to order groups of two or more people who are suspected of causing harassment, alarm, distress or intimidation, to move out of the designated area and not return for a specified time.

Failure to comply is an offence and perpetrators can be arrested.

The plan is winning widespread support from the local MP, councillors and residents who are backing the police bid to make use of the new powers.

Islwyn MP Don Touhig said: "I fully support the police in their request to have these powers available to them and I will be staying closely in touch with how this develops. These laws are in place because we recognise that the behaviour of a few can cause havoc."

The move is the latest measure designed to stop boy racers from causing problems.

In January 2002 double yellow lines were painted on a stretch of road from St Margaret's Church and the Blackwood Miners Institute to the ambulance station in Cwm Gelli, where the young motorists parked and played loud music. Car park regulations were extended to stop problems in William Street and Wesley Road.