HI-TECH equipment for measuring noisy exhausts is already deterring ‘boy racers’ in West Bay and Lyme Regis, police say.

Bridport and Lyme Safer Neighbourhood team officers will be using the new equipment for a year’s trial.

The £1,400 device has been paid for by West Dorset District Council and if the trial is successful police will put in a bid for more.

Unveiling the new equipment, PC Mike Brown of Bridport Police said it would be used as secondary evidence.

He said: “When any cars are released from the manufacturers they won’t emit anything over 82 decibels. We can measure the exhausts and know they have been modified.”

The microphone is placed a measured distance – 50cms – away from the exhaust and with the driver using three quarters throttle, the policeman can see the decibel readout.

PC Brown added: “Background noise is about 59 decibels and we use the device for ten seconds and take an average reading.

“You have to remember that 90 decibels is actually twice as loud as 80.”

Lyme policeman PC Richard Winward said even without using it the new deterrent was having an impact.

He said: “Even though the equipment hasn’t been used yet just the knowledge that we have it has kept drivers away.

“In the past we had no way of dealing with the problem.

“These young people are deliberately modifying their cars to make them noisier for no purpose.

“It is unreasonable.”

Offenders will be issued with £30 fixed penalties but there will be no second chances and the next time it will be a court appearance, said P Winward.

PC Brown said other forces using the equipment have found it does its job with no repeat offences.

He added that culprits could also find their insurance was invalidated by their modifications.

confiscation is a ‘deterrent’

DON Slade, who lives on the promenade in West Bay and rents holiday flats, welcomed the idea that police had powers to target the noisy drivers.

He said: “I welcome the news that the police have some powers to deal with the problem.

“As far as the boy racers along the promenade it affects me and my residents more than anybody along here.”

He said the area had been quieter lately with the added threat that police could confiscate cars.

“I think that has happened on two or three occasions though and I think that is a deterrent. That wouldn’t go down too well as these vehicles are their pride and joy.

“If they just kept their exhausts a bit lower and behave themselves we’d have no objection to them whatsoever. Most of them are fine it is just the odd few. I suppose it is just showing off.”