Police are being urged to crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Aylsham before irate residents take matters into their own hands.

Eileen Springall, chairman of Aylsham Town Council, said car drivers gathered at the multi-use games area, off Henry Page Road, roaring engines and playing loud music into the early hours.

Mrs Springall told this month's meeting of the town council that she feared police just moved the culprits on and did not take tougher action, such as verbal and written warnings, followed by confiscating vehicles.

'These young people are just laughing behind their hands because nothing is happening about it,' she said. 'In my view it's like disciplining a naughty child. Unless you carry out your threat, it's pointless.'

Police met residents, Mrs Springall and town council clerk Mo Anderson-Dungar at the site earlier this month to discuss concerns.

Mrs Springall, who is also chairman of the Aylsham SNAP - Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel - said she had written frank a email to the police about the problem and believed they now realised that tempers were beginning to fray.

'We respect the police and the work they do but there are times when I think they need a nudge,' she said. 'If one of these residents did take matters into their own hands they could end up in court, and that would be so unjust.'