Last month the 'Herald' reported that Police and Castle Morpeth Council officers would be working side by side in a bid to drive out nuisance car cruisers and boy racers.

And already the initiative is starting to bite.

Borough Community Safety Officer Rob Fairfax (pictured) and P.C. Mick Leybourne went on patrol in car parks in Morpeth town centre on Sunday evening and dished out 11 'Warning Before Enforcement' notices.

In addition, Police have confirmed that several Section 59 notices have been issued, advising drivers that if their anti-social behaviour continues their vehicles could be seized, and one car was taken off the road for flouting the law.

Mr Fairfax said: "I don't think the drivers were aware of the new rules and were quite surprised when we gave them notices. Obviously now they realise how serious the situation is.

"After warnings are given then the Council will be looking at enforcement if the complaints continue and fixed penalty notices, very similar to a standard parking fine, will be issued."

The Council has recently secured extra powers to control behaviour in its car parks in an initiative with the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Signs have been posted to advise drivers it is forbidden to drive a vehicle into a car park other than to access a designated bay, leave engines running when stopped, sound horns except in an emergency and to create noise disturbance by revving engines, shouting or playing loud music.

They are also banned from using threatening, abusive or insulting language or gestures, driving against directional signs or causing any form of anti-social behaviour.

If warning notices are ignored, drivers could face a £60 fine, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

Further patrols of car parks will take place in the next two weeks to issue more warnings, before enforcement action is taken.

Police are also using their powers to stop people driving inappropriately.

Morpeth Neighbourhood Inspector Mick Dwyer said: "We have been working closely with the Council to clamp down on anti-social driving in Morpeth, which people have told us is a concern.

"A number of Section 59 notices have been issued to drivers, warning them that if they continue to drive anti-socially or dangerously their vehicle will be taken off them.

"One car owner has already had his vehicle seized because of the manner of his driving and we will continue to take strong action against the minority who flout the law."