Calls have been made for speed cameras to be put in place to deter car cruisers using a Leicestershire village bypass. Dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour along the A426 at Blaby is a long-standing issue, with police currently carrying out “targeted operations” to tackle a rise in illegal street racing.

But despite successes – including a 500-car meet planned for Saturday being cancelled – residents said problems are continuing, says the BBC.

Blaby district councillor Paul Hartshorn said he would like average speed cameras to be installed to stop the problem – but Leicestershire County Council said there was not enough of a track record of speeding or accidents to allow cameras there.

At the start of February, Leicestershire Police’s Hinckley and Blaby commander Insp Mat Allingham said the force was tackling “extremely dangerous” drivers after “a number of large, organised meets”. He warned cars would be seized and warnings sent to owners of vehicles involved.

However, the use of a Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) to hand extra powers to officers, as is the case in Castle Donington and Kegworth, has been ruled out for now.

Les Phillimore, joint chair of the Blaby and Hinckley Community Safety Partnership, said: “There is no excuse for using the roads as race tracks.

“We’re committed to doing all that we can to reduce incidents.”

Hartshorn said recent police operations were welcome but “don’t stop” the meets.

He would like the highways authority Leicestershire County Council to install average speed cameras along the stretch as a deterrent and to catch speeding drivers should they turn up in the area.

“We need to stop it happening in the first place. These car races are a danger and a risk to the other road users. There needs to be a permanent solution. And it needs to be done now before somebody’s killed.”