Nine cars have been seized by police during a crackdown in the north-east on young, rogue motorists.
Officers launched Operation Piston to try to curb the worrying number of young people involved in serious road accidents across the north-east.
Throughout the exercise, Grampian Police targeted hotspots in Aberdeenshire, including Ballater, Alford, Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Turriff, Huntly, Ellon and Inverurie.
In the last two weeks, officers have reported 65 drivers, 42 of them aged between 16-25.
They now face a variety of charges, including drink-driving, drugs offences and driving while disqualified.
Some were spotted carrying out handbrake turns or screeching car tyres, a common cause of complaints from residents.
Police revealed last night that 13 antisocial behaviour warnings were handed out during the operation, while nine vehicles were taken off the road for either road traffic or antisocial behaviour offences.
Inspector Mike McDonald said last night: “Operation Piston has been running for six weeks now and I have to say that initial indications are extremely positive.
“We all know that a small number of young drivers in our communities generate the majority of calls from the public in relation to antisocial driving in our towns and villages in Aberdeenshire and on rural roads.”
He said officers targeted known problem areas in the north-east, based on tip-offs from concerned locals.
Police used marked and unmarked vehicles to patrol these areas.
Insp McDonald said a minority of young drivers were involved in the majority of antisocial offences.
“It will be the same drivers who engage in this behaviour week in, week out,” he said.
“These are the drivers we target.”
He said following the success of the operation so far, patrols would continue across Aberdeenshire over the coming weeks.
Anyone with information about dangerous or antisocial driving has been urged to contact police on 0845 6005700, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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