ACTION to clamp down on boy racers at Abergavenny could include a new town law.

Residents want action to stop young drivers making their lives a misery. Inspector Mark Budden, posted to the town two months ago, said police carried out Operation Hyacinth in December to curb boy racers.

As a result, there were arrests, vehicles were confiscated and drivers reported for offences.

The inspector thought the situation had improved over the last few weeks. "The message seems to have got out to these youths that if they continue this behaviour we will use the same tactics again," said Inspector Budden.

They were also working with the council to look at a possible byelaw to ensure people did not stay in their cars after parking.

Angry resident Ray Powell, landlord of The Somerset Arms on Victoria Street, said: "There is not much you can do to stop them really.

"We see them at the garage opposite the pub doing wheelies. The other day a driver was going around like a bat out of hell. I don't know what it will take to stop them - a fatality?"

Christine Bruton, who lives opposite Fairfield car park which is targeted by the racers, said every weekend there were gangs creating a racket, sometimes until 4am.

"We live opposite and can hear it all, I can't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep. They are racing and they have loud music and sometimes they argue."

The Argus recently reported how the town's vicar, Reverend Jeremy Winston, of St Mary's Church, was verbally abused. There were calls from Councillor Chris Woodhouse for a Blackwood-style clampdown where officers were given the power to issue dispersal notices, allowing them to move on groups of two or more and telling them not to return or face the possibility of prison or a fine.