POLICE in North Yorkshire have hailed the success of a crackdown on so-called boy racers who have been causing problems on the county’s roads.

The one-day initiative, which was part of Operation Anvil, a joint operation between North Yorkshire Police, HM Revenue & Customs and the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency, centred around the A171 Whitby to Scaling Dam road .

More than 44 vehicles stopped for a range of offences, with 38 fixed penalty notices issued.

The driver of a Range Rover Sport was issued with an on the spot fine of £500 by customs officials for the illegal use of red diesel, meant to be used in farm machinery.

He was also given a fixed penalty ticket by police officers for using a mobile phone while driving.

Officers took six cars off the road immediately because of mechanical defects and six others were issued with delayed notices to deal with mechanical faults as soon as possible.

Traffic constable Dave Burlingham, of the Eastern Area Road Policing Group, said: "This was a very successful and busy operation. We got as many 'boy racers' in as we could and want word to get around that we will not tolerate their behaviour which is causing a nuisance and upsetting residents and other road users in the area."