Night-time patrols to target speeding and 'popping exhausts' in Linlithgow

Boy racers are speeding down a historic town’s high street, causing a major disturbance to residents, councillors have heard.

Revving engines and booming exhausts echo off the walls in Linlithgow’s High Street in the early hours of the morning, with the noise made worse by the narrow street and high buildings.

Local community sergeant Alan Hanna told councillors police can and do intervene in anti-social behaviour from drivers with noisy engines and exhausts, warning that repeat offenders can have their vehicles seized.

Sgt Hanna, the new community team leader for the Linlithgow area, gave his first report to a meeting of the town’s Local Area Committee.

Councillor Pauline Orr said: “I have had a few complaints about the speed of traffic in the evening, particularly on the High Street, going into the early hours of the weekend.

“One gentleman who lives on the High Street is talking about popping exhausts, which as we know are generally illegal. Has that come to your attention, and are you doing any work on that?”

Sgt Hanna said: “During the weekend we’ll have night-time economy patrols. It is something that we’ll feed into community teams.

“If we do see speeding or hear excessive noise, we can stop that vehicle and speak to the driver.”

He added that persistent offending once the police had spoken to the driver could see the vehicle being seized.

The sergeant said he could also bring in special constables to beef up evening patrols and engage with young drivers.

In his report, Sgt Hanna said: “Numerous areas of West Lothian were targeted in relation to inconsiderate parking, misuse of disabled bays and various traffic offences.

“Tickets were issued and advice given to drivers around school areas. Further days of action were carried out in areas identified as hotspots for car meets and anti-social driving.

“Officers stopped and engaged with numerous drivers, providing advice and verbal warnings, along with a small number of drivers reported for road traffic offences. Officers also carried out speed checks in Linlithgow and engaged with the community.”