QUARRIES belonging to the Malvern Hills Conservators are being targeted by vandals and youths whose driving is damaging the car parks.
Youths doing "doughnuts" in cars are thought to be responsible for carving deep ruts in a newly-laid gravel surface at Earnslaw Quarry car park. Grass verges have been ripped up by car wheels and blue paint daubed on stones and a seat.
North Quarry has also been used as a racetrack for late-night rallying sessions.
Conservators' director Ian Rowat told a recent meeting of the public relations committee that he had received reports of driivers entering North Quarry at speeds of up to 60mph.
Worried neighbours have contacted the Conservators about the problem. Anti-social behaviour has also been reported at Gullet Quarry.
Mr Rowat said poles had been installed at Earnslaw Quarry to try and stop the dangerous driving. Other measures such as sleeping policemen were being considered at North Quarry.
However, he said that as soon as measures were brought in the youngsters seemed to find a way round them, making it difficult to do anything without penalising innocent users of the car park.
After the meeting, Mr Rowat said the problem had got worse with the advent of the school holidays.
He added that speed bumps and other measures introduced at the Townsend Way retail park, in Malvern, may have forced the young drivers, who used to meet there regularly, to find places further afield.
"What's so sad is we're trying to make things nice for people and you get these mindless yobs ruining it," said Conservator John Tretheway.
Sgt David Coulson said police were aware of the problem and that residents should report their concerns to police on 08457 444 888 or, in an emergency, dial 999.
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