SOUTH Swindon MP Robert Buckland is calling for a police campaign of action to target antisocial drivers.

People living in West Swindon, the town centre, Wootton Bassett Road and Kingshill, Croft Road and Wroughton have complained to him of noise and speeding.

“This issue seems to have worsened over the past few months, with many people reporting cars sounding similar to gunshots,” he said.

“I have written to Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Kier Pritchard to highlight this issue on behalf of all the residents who have contacted me. I have requested a police campaign of action to target offenders. Several local police forces across the country have run similar targeted campaigns.

“I have also contacted the Department of Transport to raise this issue and ask for support.”

He has been working with local residents in West Swindon, local businesses on the Shaw Ridge Estate and the local policing team over the past 18 months on a campaign to tackle speeding, anti-social vehicle behaviour and noise.

Insp Carly Nesbitt said: “I have personally already been in touch with Mr Buckland’s office in relation to his concerns regarding anti-social driving in West Swindon, which I understand are shared by residents in the area.

“Officers are regularly conducting routine high visibility patrols on these roads to act as both a deterrent and to detect any anti-social driving and I know they have had some really positive results already.

“This work will continue, and as well as this we will be looking at running an operation with our colleagues in roads policing in the coming weeks, when resourcing permits, to target anti-social drivers on our roads.

“As with any anti-social behaviour, we would encourage residents to report issues directly to the police via 101. If a crime is in progress, call 999.”

Adver readers have shared their concerns on social media. Jill Cuss said: “The speed of the traffic on the road by me is awful. They have little idea of slowing down on quieter roads or in car parks.”

Neil Laver said: “Swindon is famous for allowing speeding and a complete lack of parking controls, just look at Victoria hill or commercial road.”