‘Boy racers’ are causing mayhem in Newcastle

‘Boy racers’ are causing mayhem in Newcastle

9 October 2024

CALLS have been issued for an increased weekend police presence at Newcastle’s biggest car park owing to ongoing anti-social behaviour.

Donard Park has become a magnet for young drivers who are being blamed for disturbances in the area causing major inconvenience for nearby residents, many of whom are elderly.

A series of meetings has already been held with officials from various agencies to address issues at the car park where the layout has been amended to slow down so-called “boy racers”.

Enlarged speed bumps were provided to prevent motorists from racing around the car park, alongside the creation of a dedicated filter lane to facilitate access to residential properties. New signage was also erected, but the work has not acted as a deterrent.

Local politicians, senior Newry, Mourne and Down Council officials and police have been working to combat the trouble at the local authority-owned car park which is particularly disturbing for elderly and vulnerable residents and young families.

Ongoing issues include blaring car horns, revving engines and exhausts backfiring and there is also particular concern about the speed of some young drivers.

Donard Park is adjacent to the Fold housing development for senior citizens and other residents who live in sheltered accommodation at Ruby House and River House.

Politicians say excessively noisy vehicles and anti-social driving causes disturbance, stress, anxiety and fear for many residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity.

Local Sinn Fein councillor Willie Clarke warned this week that “enough is enough” and measures to address anti-social behaviour must be implemented immediately.

He said during previous meetings involving representatives from the local authority, PSNI, the district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership and Mournes councillors, several actions were agreed upon.

Cllr Clarke said these must now be followed through and implemented with no further delay.

He revealed the various measures include additional lighting at the overflow car park, seeking costings for and so-called bollard, increasing the presence of community wardens at the  weekends and investigating options for the closure of part of the car park in the evenings.

Previously, it has been suggested to utilise new technology to reduce anti-social behaviour and erect so-called “noise-cameras” which uses a video camera in conjunction with a number of microphones to accurately pinpoint excessively noisy vehicles.

Cllr Clarke said the time had come for the immediate implementation of the agreed measures to ensure residents who live close to Donard Park can do so peacefully.

“These measures have been costed and recommendations now need to be presented to Newry, Mourne and Down Council for implementation. There must be no further delay,” he continued.

Cllr Clarke said Sinn Fein was taking what he described as “proactive steps” to resolve the ongoing issues. 

“We hope that these new measures, along with a continued police presence, will curb the anti-social activities that are distressing elderly and vulnerable residents,” he continued.

“Donard Park has become a hotspot for young drivers revving engines and sounding horns, especially on weekends.”

Cllr Clarke said he shared the concern of residents whose quality of life was being damaged by what he labelled “reckless behaviour”.

He went on: “I have witnessed this anti-social behaviour for myself on many occasions and there must be a resolution to these problems and will continue to raise this issue with the police, the PCSP and local council officers.

“During my visit to the car park late last Saturday night, I observed police on patrol, but the noise starts much earlier than this. A police presence needs to be established earlier in the evenings.”

Cllr Clarke added: “It is simply unacceptable for local people, especially vulnerable residents, to suffer as they have been doing. We need to address the Donard Park issues.”