NEW measures are being used by West Devon Borough Council and Devon and Cornwall Police to help stop anti-social behaviour in one of Tavistock's main car parks.

There have been complaints from the local community about night-time disruption in Bedford car park, which is owned by the borough council.

Some young drivers have been congregating in the car park in the evening and causing a nuisance.

Their anti-social behaviour has included revving engines loudly, playing car stereos at full volume, accelerating around the area and using foul language.

The council's community safety team have worked with police to draw up a Section 30 Dispersal Order covering Bedford car park from now until the end of March.

The order will allow police officers to move on groups of two or more people who are causing a nuisance in the car park or likely to do so.

Sgt Dave Anning from Tavistock police: 'This is a sensible measure. A number of residents have had to put up with behaviour that ranges from the thoughtless to the deliberately offensive.

'We can now require people to leave for up to 24 hours if we think they may become involved in these or any other anti-social acts.

'Most young drivers in the town recognise that a driving licence is a privilege, and it is not acceptable to use it to ruin other peoples' lives. The actions of the few have given the majority a bad name, and I hope that majority will now help by refusing to associate with the few who don't behave like adults.'

The borough council has also installed metal poles to restrict the amount of space in the car park at night.

It is hoped this will deter motorists from accelerating around the area and doing 'doughnut' car stunts.

The poles can be removed where necessary to allow events such as Goose Fair to take place as normal.

Cllr Robert Oxborough, the council's chairman of community services, who is responsible for community safety, said: 'We are doing all we can to support the residents living near Bedford car park.  I hope the new measures will send out a strong message – that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour.'

The new measures follow months of effort by the council, police and other partners to resolve the problems in the car park at night. 

The situation will now be closely monitored to see how the latest initiative is working.