STREET racers and speeding motorists have been singled out by Bay police in a car-crime crackdown, codenamed Operation Hawkshead.

Dozens of drivers were checked in a series of police initiatives on roads across the three towns last week.

The aim of the exercise was to target 'anti-social driving' in the area in response to concerns raised by the community after a series of 'You Said, We Did' meetings.

Organisers Safer Communities Torbay, together with Bay police, came up with a series of initiatives to catch the worst offenders.

The most recent clampdown got underway last Thursday night with a series of identified offending hot-spots being visited, including Torquay's Babbacombe Road, Paignton's Dartmouth Road and locations along the seafront.

Several car parks across the Bay were also targeted.

Altogether 15 fixed penalty tickets were issued over the evening — 10 for speeding.

One motorist was clocked doing 56mph in a 30mph zone.

A number of verbal warnings were also given for minor offences.

Four fixed penalty tickets were issued for exhaust noise and one ticket was issued for not wearing a seatbelt.

Several 'vehicle defect rectification notices' and verbal warnings were issued for lights, noise and parking infringements.

And two motorists were reported for driving without an MoT or insurance.

Roadside breath tests were also carried out but no offenders were found.

Sgt Louise Costin, of Torquay's Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We are responding to concerns from our local community that street racing and speeding in residential areas is causing a nuisance."

She added: "Residents are fed up of the small minority of drivers who seem to have no consideration for the communities around them.

"We are taking positive action to deal with this anti-social driving and educating those concerned. We actively encourage members of the public to report incidents to us as this helps us focus resource in the right areas."

Louisa Aiton, cabinet member for community safety, added: "Listening to the views of our communities and acting on their concerns is extremely important to us.

"We want to build neighbourhoods that are safe and free of anti-social behaviour, for all to enjoy.

"It is the small minority of people who ruin the lives of others, so it is pleasing to see that such positive action has taken place."

The aim of the operation was to highlight the police presence in the area and act as a deterrent to potential anti-social motorists.

A similar operation in July saw several motorists penalised for anti-social driving offences and vehicle defect issues.

And two people were also arrested, one on suspicion of drink driving and the other because they had an existing warrant out for their arrest.

To report anti-social behaviour call 01803 207900. Alternatively, contact your neighbourhood policing team via Devon and Cornwall Police's website www.devon-cornwall.police.uk or by calling 08452 777444.