VILLAGERS in Addingham are being urged to 'shop' young drivers blasting up and down Main Street in hot-hatches to impress their friends.

Residents are claiming that the the boy-racer drivers are putting lives at risk.

And Civic Society chairman John Beverland has condemned the practice saying it could lead to serious injury for pedestrians or other drivers and passengers.

The village has had problems in the past with young hatchback drivers who congregate with other youths at the Memorial Hall car park, but Mr Beverland has said the issue of what he calls 'show-off joyriders' has returned.

"One wonders if their own family connections are aware of this carrying on. Very good fun, until someone is crippled for life.

"The police are aware of this renewed activity. They welcome calls - with registration numbers if possible - and will respond if and when it occurs."

Civic Society member Don Barrett said: "There have been a few cases I believe. In the past there have been occasions of blasting up and down the road.

"There are some young people in cars which they consider fast which are driven up and down the road too fast."

Parish councillor Danny Palmer said: "You do get them racing up and down Main Street - just kids in hatchbacks. I don't know what it is like in the middle of the village but where I live opposite the cricket field, everyone puts their foot down there."

A police spokesman said that complaints about speeding in Addingham were received regularly and the traffic unit, based in Keighley, had been made aware of the problem.

"We have had problems every now and then with youths congregating on the Memorial Hall car park and young drivers," said the spokesman.

He said that the situation was being constantly monitored by the police who carried out regular speed checks in the village.

Last year special police units were drafted into the village to deal with problems caused by rowdy youths in the Memorial Hall car park. Pensioners, particularly, feared using the hall because they felt intimidated by the gangs.

But parish councillors claim the problems will not be solved to residents' satisfaction until Addingham has its own full-time community constable.

Although the crime rate in the village remained low, the recent village survey revealed that most residents wanted a police officer on the spot.

They felt that this would reduce the fear of crime as well as helping to prevent nuisance crimes such as speeding, loutish behaviour and vandalism.

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