There is nothing wrong with young people taking pride in their cars and wanting to show off to each other the modifications and improvements they have made to their prized vehicles. It has been happening ever since cars became a part of popular culture. However, when that showing off leads to anti-social, even dangerous, behaviour action needs to be taken to put a stop to it.

It was wholly unacceptable, for instance, that a large crowd of spectators and more than 100 cars should have gathered on the Morrisons car park at Girlington where drivers competed in late-night races which included performing hand-brake turns and "doughnut" manoeuvres.

That sort of behaviour is bound to have been distressing for residents in the area and a cause of considerable concern to local businesses. The police were right to take strong action against it. The immediate measures introduced to disrupt the racing the following night, and to protect officers after one of them was injured by a brick, proved to be a great success.

The subsequent police decision to confiscate the cars of boy and girl racers and charge them hundreds of pounds to reclaim them, hitting them in their pockets, should hammer home the message that while enthusiasm for cars is understandable, using them in an anti-social and illegal way is something that cannot be accepted.

Although there might be a place for races that show off the skills of owners in modifying and driving their vehicles, supermarket car parks in busy residential and business areas are not that place.