Boy racers crackdown

Residents in the Eccleshall Road and Stone Road areas say they are at their wits end after the McDonald's car park at the junction of the two trunk roads became a meeting place for more than 20 young people – who speed around the area between 11pm and 3am.

Following the incident, which happened in the last week, – and claims that police have ignored cries for help – Inspector Rob Pilling of Stafford local policing unit said he was aware there was a problem and will do everything in his power to help.

The woman claimed that after taking pictures of numberplates she was chased down the road by youngsters in a car.

She said: "Driving back along the Eccleshall Road, I was suddenly approached from behind by two of these boys driving their cars in a horrifyingly dangerous and intimidating manner. They were an inch off my car and another car was trying to move me off the road – they yelled abuse, waved fists and flashed lights and indicated for me to pull over."

The woman rang the police and drove to the Eastgate station, which was closed.

When no-one called her she went to the police station the next morning, where she was told no action could be taken until a police officer had witnessed the problem – twice. She added: "They will get away with murder one day, when one of these children kill somebody with their driving. Only then will the police take a look at it."

Inspector Pilling said he was disappointed by officers' attitudes and he was aware of the speeding problem.

He said:"I am very disappointed to hear that this happened and I would like to speak to the lady.

"I know that there is an issue with speeding vehicles in that area from personal experience. This situation is a priority for us and we do carry out speed checks and vehicle stops in the area, but we can't be there 24/7.

"We would ask residents to call us when the problems are occurring and would ask them not to go out to photograph these people. We have carried out investigations in this area and will continue to do so."

Residents are campaigning for traffic calming measure on Eccleshall Road, which leads to the M6 at junction 14. While there are no plans for chicanes or speed humps it is hoped that introducing pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes and island refuges in the centre of the road will narrow the carriageways, making it less likely for people to speed through the area.