A TEENAGER has become the first driver to have his car seized in a police crackdown on boy racers.

Police say they saw the un-named 19-year-old, from Esh Winning, performing handbrake turns in the car park of the Arnison Centre at Pity Me, on Tuesday night.

The youngster had been given a warning notice last month so officers had his Citroen Saxo towed away.

He will have to pay a £105 recovery fee and daily storage charges of £12 to get it back.

He also faces being summonsed to court on a charge of careless driving.

Last month the Durham force announced a crackdown on 'exhibitionist' drivers and motorcyclists who perform potentially dangerous stunts in public car parks and on roads.

So far more than 50 have been given warning notices.

Two Honda motorbikes have been confiscated at Waldridge and Quarrington Hill since the crackdown got under way.

The action has been prompted by persistent complaints about off-road bikers racing along bridleways and public footpaths as well as large groups of drivers meeting up at gatherings known as 'cruises' to show off a range of tricks.

The seizures have been carried out under the Police Reform Act of 2002, which was enacted to tackle careless or inconsiderate driving that causes 'alarm, distress or annoyance' to the public.