Communities blighted by off-road biking and intimidating street racing will benefit from the new measure

Motorists could have their car “crushed” by police officers in just 48 hours as part of a new Government crackdown.

The radical new measure is being introduced in a bid to limit antisocial behaviour and deliver safer streets through the government’s Plan for Change.

From today, perpetrators of antisocial driving will run the risk of having their car, e-scooter or off-road bike seized and destroyed after 48 hours.

Currently, police must wait 14 days before being able to dispose of a vehicle, making it easier for offenders to reclaim their vehicles and with a limited deterrent to repeat offending.

The new rule will help tackle the scourge of vehicle-driven antisocial behaviour by sending a clear message to would-be offenders and local communities that swift justice will be delivered.

The government have also made the process of seizing a vehicle easier for officers, by stripping away the requirement to issue a warning beforehand.

Communities blighted by off-road biking in public parks and intimidating street racing are set to benefit from the new measures.

The changes are also expected to have a wider impact on tackling more serious crime with e-scooters and e-bikes often used to facilitate drug dealing, organised acquisitive crime and serious violence.

Minister for Crime and Policing Dame Diana Johnson said: “Antisocial and reckless driving brings misery to communities across the country, from dangerous street racing to off-road bikes tearing through local parks.

“By enabling police to seize and dispose of these vehicles within just 48 hours, we’re giving our officers the tools they need to deliver immediate results and providing communities the swift justice they deserve.”

Ms Johnson continued: “As part of our Plan for Change, these new powers send a clear message that antisocial behaviour, whatever form it takes, will not be tolerated in our local communities.”

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister set out new measures as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee to restore neighbourhood policing to local communities, including every force having a dedicated antisocial behaviour lead to tackle the specific challenges each area faces.

AA president Edmund King, backed the new proposal as a “positive step” to boost road safety.

He said: “Illegal car meets and street racing are not just antisocial, but also present road safety problems which have resulted in needless injuries and fatalities. This is a positive step that should make people think again before joining illegal car cruises.”