POLICE have launched a crackdown on car cruising, the latest craze to sweep through Southampton.

The trend involves motorists meeting in car parks to show off their heavily modified cars and perform stunts such as handbrake turns and wheel spinning.

It has become an increasing problem in the city over the past year.

PC Philip Warwick, leading the crackdown, said: "On some nights there can be in excess of 50 cars meeting up and some of the drivers are causing a danger not only to themselves but others using the area by doing stunts.

"Because the car park is open to the public all the time many of the cruisers do not realise the rules of the road still apply and anyone we catch driving illegally or dangerously is likely to be prosecuted.

"We have just recently successfully prosecuted two people who were driving dangerously in the car park. The excellent CCTV system used by the retail park has helped us compile the evidence we need against those breaking the law.. The most recent case saw the driver fined almost £200 and banned from driving for 12 months. He will then have to take an extended retest before he can return to the road.

"We will deal robustly with anyone we catch."

One of the most popular areas for car cruising is West Quay Retail Park.

Centre manager Shaun McGillivray said: "The action taken by the police in Southampton, with the help of CCTV footage recorded by our site security, is without doubt having a positive effect.

"I am sure it will only be a matter of time before this problem diminishes and people will no longer need to worry about being injured or worse by the antics of these dangerous drivers."