RESIDENTS of a Gwent town who say their lives are made a misery by boy racers are welcoming a police crackdown on the "cruisers".

Police in Abergavenny are re-launching an operation aimed at stamping out the nuisance of youngsters driving recklessly, revving their engines and blasting car stereos late at night.

Operation Elite was first launched last November, using new police powers to remove the cars of nuisance drivers.

At the time the operation was hailed a success, with three cars impounded and 30 warnings issued, but now the problem has returned. This time police are promising to get tough.

Detective Sergeant Howard Salmon said: "In the coming weeks, these so-called boy racers will be targeted and, using our new powers, we will confiscate vehicles if offences are committed.

"It is not right that the public should have to put up with this noise in the early hours of the morning.

"We are determined to stamp this out and return peace to the community." Residents living near the town's bus station car park say they have had enough of being kept awake until the early hours by the so-called "cruisers".

They want to see more police patrolling the area and bringing the culprits to justice.

Abergavenny councillor Alan Breeze said: "I've had numerous complaints from residents who are at their wits' end.

"Their lives are being made a complete misery by the boy racers. "I'm pleased the police are taking action and I very much hope that this will bring a solution to what is a serious problem.

"We want to see more cars confiscated and crushed." Sergeant Huw Jones has been especially appointed to deal with the problem.

He said: "The operation will continue indefinitely. Anyone found committing an offence will receive a warning, and if they commit another offence we will impound their vehicle."

Anyone with information about nuisance drivers should contact Sergeant Huw Jones on 01495 852273.