Sunbury neighbours call for police to stop hoons

SUNBURY neighbours living in and near the Ashfield Estate fear hoons doing burnouts and doughnuts will crash a speeding car through their homes.

SUNBURY neighbours living in and near the Ashfield Estate fear a speeding car will crash through their homes because of hoons doing burnouts and doughnuts.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are stepping up patrols in areas near the estate, Boardman Reserve, Charter Rd and Mitchells Lane after a surge in reports there.

Sergeant Justin Pollock told the Leader residents had regularly taken to social media and calling the police to complain about dangerous driving at night.

“There have been multiple calls in relation to burnouts and doughnuts, and there are some pretty angry residents,” he said.

Sgt Pollock said a blue-and-silver Holden VN Calais with no numberplates was one of the vehicles attracting the ire of residents.

Facebook page Sunbury Community Crime Watch has offered a reward for information revealing the location of a Holden vehicle, with angry posts about a hoon terrorising the Ashfield area for months.

Sergeant Ed Wildemast told the Leader said police were aware of “vigilante” type reaction on social media to the offending drivers.

“Our advice is never take matters into your own hands — if you have concerns, ring us,” he said.

Police can seize and impound cars, and apply for vehicles to be crushed. “When motor vehicles are being driven in a dangerous manner, there is the potential for fatal consequences — police will always take these reports seriously,” Sgt Wildemast said.

A Mitchells Lane resident said hoons and burnouts happened almost every night. “I lay awake at night waiting for that sickening thud or bang when one of them hit a pole or even go into someone’s front yard,” she said.

A Charter Rd West resident said their family had discussed moving elsewhere because of the problem.

“(We have) been utterly terrorised by the same group of people on motor cross or dirt bikes for months. They do wheelies down the street at all hours and regularly speed up and down ours and surrounding streets from 3-5am,” she said.

“The speeds they reach are outrageous and one day they will lose control and smash into someone’s house.”

Information to police on 9744 8111.