SIX cars were seized during a three-week police crackdown on 'boy racers' in Longridge.

In total 36 drivers, mainly young men who either live or work in the Ribble Valley town, were stopped for 38 alleged offences, including speeding, failing to wear seatbelts, using mobile phones, drink driving and driving with no insurance.

Two cars were seized from drivers accused of not having insurance and four vehicles from motorists said to be driving irresponsibly.

Drivers have to pay a penalty charge to get their car back.

The latest move in an on-going campaign to make the area's roads safer was spearheaded by Longridge PCSO Ben Higham and East Lancashire traffic officer PC John Wharton.

PC Wharton, who is a family liaison officer in the road policing unit, said the operation was conducted after a rise in complaints by residents regarding driving standards, particularly those of young people on the rural roads coming into Longridge.

He said: "I have attended and dealt with numerous accidents including severely injured and fatalities.

"I have the traumatic task of informing relatives that members of their families won't be coming home because they have been killed in road traffic accidents.

"It is not a job that is envied by anyone and that is the reason I want to make our roads safer.

"The manner of driving that I witnessed in the Longridge area was completely unacceptable and many residents in the area had concerns about their safety and that of the drivers.

“I feel very strongly about young, inexperienced drivers.

"A lot of them believe they have a free reign to drive however they like when they pass their test, but realistically they don't.

"The message that we want to send out that this is not acceptable and it is costing people’s lives and we will continue to work towards making our roads safer.”