DRIVERS who park in two retail parks at night face big fines thanks to new cameras after fed-up residents complained of 'boy racers' performing 'dangerous' doughnuts.
Warning signs and ANPR cameras have appeared at both the Blackpole Retail Park and the Elgar Retail Park in Blackpole, Worcester.
Residents say the cameras and signs were introduced at the Elgar base at the end of last week and at the Blackpole base on Monday and the system is now live.
Parking is now prohibited between 9pm and 6am at both retail parks with enforcement managed by UK Parking Control and drivers facing fines of up to £100.
Both retail parks are popular with young people - the Elgar Retail Park has a KFC drive thru and the Blackpole Retail Park a McDonald's drive thru.
The Worcester News understands there is a tablet in front of the KFC where drivers must enter their registration to avoid getting a ticket.
READ MORE: Coffee drive thru at Elgar Retail Park - anger mounts
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Residents have complained to West Mercia Police about anti-social driving, such as drivers performing doughnuts in the car park of the Blackpole Retail Park and sounding car horns late at night.
One resident of Salters Close said: "Boy racers are tearing round the Blackpole retail park yet again doing doughnuts and revving exhausts."
Another resident said: "I don't see it's an effective way to stop boy racers."
One Blackpole resident said: "I don't think it will work. How are they going to enforce it? Are they going to have police officers sat here or traffic wardens? There are boy racers up here. Somebody is going to get killed.
"Get a couple of police cars up here with speed cameras to enforce it or put up permanent speed cameras."
Cllr Jill Desayrah has been campaigning against the potential introduction of what is rumoured to be a Starbucks drive thru coffee shop on the Elgar Retail Park.
The Warndon Labour councillor said: "I'm aware of the many reports of antisocial driving in the Blackpole Retail Park around McDonald's.
"Since the introduction of the ANPR cameras the issue seems to have lessened.
"However, it's early days. I hope it has a positive effect in which case it's a welcome move."
We have approached Legal and General, which manages Elgar Retail Park, for a comment but they have not responded.
Safer Neighbourhood inspector for Worcester City Tanya Beckett said: “SNT are aware of and are working with the community, retailers, and the council to respond to these concerns.
“The team have already been in contact to actively patrol and have already identified individuals that contribute to this anti-social behaviour.
“There already been several formal road traffic disposals as well as education and engaging with local motorists.
“The team and council are working towards longer term engineering solutions too.”
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