Police get ‘increasing’ reports of A34 becoming ‘extremely …

Police[1] are receiving increasing numbers of calls over 'illegal racing' on the A34. Now officers have vowed to identify perpetrators as street racers continue to blight the stretch of road. StokeonTrentLive has previously reported how road policing officers had patrolled the route from Tittensor to Newcastle following reports of 'car cruising' and 'anti-social driving'.

Fed-up families had previously claimed spectators would line up to watch 'races'.[2][3][4] Staffordshire Police[5] say work is ongoing to identify those involved and stop the gatherings. Cops have warned those turning the route into a race track are putting themselves and members of the public at risk.

READ: Health alert issued for freezing UK as Stoke-on-Trent cold snap continues | There's a yellow alert in place for parts of the country[6] READ: Danger driver sped at man and pinned him to wall with car in 'terrifying' attack | Qasim Rafi, 32, used his SUV as a weapon after a 'red mist descended'[7][8] The issues come as officers continue to grapple with similar meets on Reginald Mitchell Way, in Tunstall.

On that stretch, located just off the A500, more than 40 vehicles had turned up for one event with footage capturing a BMW tearing around a roundabout.[9][10] The force has confirmed it has seen 'increasing amount of calls' over problems on the A34 stretching all the way from Tittensor into Newcastle. A spokesperson said: "Local officers, and officers from our force operations department are working together to identify vehicles and drivers involved, ensuring they are dealt with accordingly, and to put effective and enforceable measures in place to prevent racing and other vehicle related ASB in the area.

"Street racing is the illegal racing of any kind of vehicle on a public road. It can involve high speeds, weaving through traffic and ignoring traffic management signage and markings. "This obviously puts other road users and members of the public in an extremely dangerous position, this includes the driver themselves as it takes mere seconds for a 'fun' race to go horribly wrong.

Performing stunts and tricks on the road can also be dangerous to both the driver or rider and their bystanders. It is extremely dangerous and we will not tolerate this irresponsible behaviour." Witnesses are being urged to contact the police when they witness such issues in the area.

The spokesperson added: "We are encouraging members of the public to please call the police when the incidents are occurring or pass on any details of vehicles used so we can gather the information to prosecute the drivers involved." Anyone with information should call 101. Want more court and crime news?

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References

1. ^ Police (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
2. ^ StokeonTrentLive has previously reported how road policing officers had patrolled the route (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
3. ^ Newcastle (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
4. ^ spectators would line up to watch 'races'. (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
5. ^ Staffordshire Police (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
6. ^ Health alert issued for freezing UK as Stoke-on-Trent cold snap continues | There's a yellow alert in place for parts of the country (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
7. ^ Danger driver sped at man and pinned him to wall with car in 'terrifying' attack (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
8. ^ Qasim Rafi, 32, used his SUV as a weapon after a 'red mist descended' (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
9. ^ Tunstall (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
10. ^ footage capturing a BMW tearing around a roundabout. (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
11. ^ Want more court and crime news?

    Sign up to our court and crime newsletter here (data.reachplc.com)