FAST & FURIOUS
Shock videos show car meets turning millionaires’ playground into track as cops descend after 50 boy racers block drives
Celebrities like football manager Harry Redknapp and interior designer Celia Sawyer have homes there
SHOCKING video shows how illegal car meets are turning a millionaires' playground into a dangerous Monaco-like racing circuit.
Cops last week were forced to break-up one of the largest 'boy racer' meets in years when up to 50 petrolheads descended on the exclusive Sanbanks peninsula in Poole Harbour, Dorset.
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In recent years a mile-long loop around the peninsula has been turned into an unofficial race track, with some hot-rod cars reaching speeds of up to 80mph, almost triple the 30mph speed limit.
Terrifying videos from previous events show racers dangerously drifting around roundabouts as dozens of car lovers watch on.
The teens are seen banding together in their souped-up vehicles before heading out and clocking speeds of 80mph along 30mph routes.
The most recent meet began at sunset on Saturday and the motorists spent an hour admiring each other's vehicle modifications before racing and doing doughnuts in the main car park.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "There were certainly more cars then we have seen for a long time, possibly 40 to 50, who were parked illegally along the peninsula.
"My neighbour had five illegally parked cars in front of their driveway.
"They turn up in their souped-up hatchbacks, including BMWs and Mercedes, at sunset and start by admiring each others modifications, then you hear lots of revving engines and the smell of weed."
Another concerned local tweeted: "Massive boy racer car meet at Sandbanks right now. Illegal parking, illegal revving, illegal exhausts. Illegal speeding/racing.
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"Very intimidating for the residents of flats here as their private driveways have all been parked on. The pavements are blocked. The smell of weed is strong."
Dorset Police used a section 35 dispersal order to break up the meet after reports of dangerous driving and other motoring offences.
These included not having a valid MOT, illegal tyre tread depth and vehicles in a 'dangerous' condition.
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A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Traffic officers and the local neighbourhood policing team responded promptly to deal with this incident and engaged with those present.
"A significant policing presence ensured we could stop a number of vehicles to engage with road users, highlight minor offences and either deal with them formally or offer words of advice if appropriate.
"These officers were assisted by a dispersal order authorised for the area, enabling us to issue individuals with dispersal notices requiring that they leave the area.
"After officers liaised directly with a group of motorists who were causing an obstruction to the pavement, they promptly moved on and the majority of those present subsequently started to disperse."
HORROR SMASH
The latest meet comes four months after a 17-year-old female passenger in a Mercedes car was badly injured in a horror crash involving a BMW in the early hours of Boxing Day.
Residents fear it is only a matter of time before someone is killed in a high speed crash.
They have called for years for speed bumps or a speed camera to be installed on Banks Road to put off the racers.
The local council has recently installed two CCTV cameras that overlook the main car park on Sandbanks and the panhandle which acts as a 'home straight' during the meets.
Everybody has been saying for years that something is going to happen and somebody is going to die, but the council just isn't interested
Resident Nicole Stewart
Nicole Stewart, 66, who has owned a house on Sandbanks for 15 years, said: "It's normally at weekends when it happens. In the summer it's ten times worse.
"They all congregate up by the Tesco Express - you find lots of laughing gas capsules there, they make a terrible mess, buy drinks in Tesco and then they start whizzing around the peninsula.
"Because we are right on the front and this is the fastest bit before they get to the corner you do see them going up to 80mph.
"At the end of the day we don't have a lot of traffic so I think it's only by luck there hasn't been more accidents. I assume that's why they chose this spot, because it's quiet at night.
"I think if you're someone who walks their dog late at night you would be quite terrified.
"Everybody has been saying for years that something is going to happen and somebody is going to die, but the council just isn't interested.
"We need either speed bumps or a speed camera, we have been asking for years. We asked for the limit to be put down to 20mph but the council said it wasn't cost effective.
"We used to live in London and the councils just get stuff done there but here we just seem to go round in circles."
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Sandbanks - often described as Britain's version of Monte Carlo - is known for its stunning sea views, Blue Flag beaches and multi-million-pound waterfront mansions.
Celebrities like football manager Harry Redknapp and interior designer Celia Sawyer have homes there.
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