A neighbourhood policing team near Bath is cracking down on illegal young drivers who are taking their parents’ cars in the middle of the night and also buying cheap vehicles from Facebook to share.
The Peasedown St John and Paulton team have flagged increasing reports of youths driving cars without a licence. The cars are in some cases uninsured, untaxed and not road legal.
The police say: “They are driving around the area sometimes with several other people who are of a same or similar age.
“We are aware youths are either purchasing cars for a low price on Facebook or taking parents’ cars in the middle of the night.
“We are encouraging parents to have conversations with their young people around the dangers of this behaviour, and we are asking members of the public to report any suspicious activity, driving or sightings that may be linked.”
The team has been working closely with Bath & North East Somerset Council, and recently seized an illegal “community car” from the Albert Avenue area of Peasedown St John that it was suspected was being used by under-aged youths.
The policing team said: “We will continue to work with our partners to remove these vehicles that are a risk to our young people and the wider community.”
