CONTROVERSIAL powers could be used to penalise rowdy troublemakers making a racket with their cars.

Police in Abingdon could soon be able to fine anyone making 'vehicle-related noise nuisance' as part of plans to crack down on antisocial behaviour.

Vale of White Horse District Council wants to bring in a public spaces protection order (PSPO) to tackle the problem, saying householders have complained of people screeching tyres, revving engines and blaring out music in the town's car parks.

Abingdon Town Council leader Mike Badcock said: "When young people congregate, they tend to be loud, but there's a difference between being loud and being frightening. This behaviour intimidates older people and occasionally gets over-the-top. Fines are a better way of dealing with it than making arrests.

"It's a problem that usually comes in the summer and the noise does carry a very long way. I think this will give some people a better night's sleep."

The district council's cabinet member for community safety Eric Batts said complaints were mainly made about the multi-storey car park in The Charter.

PSPOs have stirred controversy since 2014, when the Government created them to allow councils to target specific local problems.

Abingdon resident Chris Newton branded the proposal 'illiberal and intrusive' on the Abingdon Facebook group, siding with campaigners who claim they limit freedom and bestow too much power with local authorities.

He added: "I have lived in the town for 20 years and have not noticed any disorder related to street drinking or vehicle related nuisance noise."

Concerns about PSPOs were raised in the county last year when Oxford City Council and Cherwell District Council bought in orders to tackle begging.

But Facebook commenter Malcolm Bott supported the plan, adding: "Anything that makes the town centre a safer and more pleasant place in the evenings and overnight should be welcomed – provided it can be enforced."

The council hopes to have the PSPO in place by summer following consultation that is now open for comment.

It would allow police officers to make on-the-spot fines of £100, and also reinstate existing powers to confiscate alcohol from drinkers causing trouble in public places.

District councillor Vicky Jenkins said the problem with antisocial behaviour had been going on for a 'long long while' in The Charter.

She said: "They used to have security people come in at about 4.30pm and sit and watch. When I've been in the library after schools finish sometimes you can hardly sit in there. They cause all sorts of noise and trouble."

To comment on the plan visit whitehorsedc.gov.uk/AbingdonPSPO before February 6.