Police have declared a notorious “racing” hotspot "which is putting other people’s lives in danger" a new priority.

Herts Police's London Colney and St Albans East team will make the anti-social use of vehicles at the Chiswell Green Starbucks in the North Orbital Road and its surrounding area its new neighbourhood priority.

“Racing” and anti-social car meets have been reported at the coffee shop car park, spilling out onto the A405 and A414, for years. Drivers have been moved on, vehicles have been seized, and a man was given a suspended sentence for erratic driving around the Shell petrol station forecourt next-door last year.

Following feedback from locals, the latest priority setting forum decided on the new focus and agreed that the issues require more resources from the team.

The force confirmed that "regular" proactive and covert police patrols have already taken place and a cloned vehicle with no insurance was recently seized.

Sergeant Mark Williams said: “We have listened to the local community and, based on our own information, Starbucks remains an area of concern.

Watford Observer: Police have since been monitoring the area.

"We are doing everything we can to stop the anti-social driving – which is putting other people’s lives in danger at Starbucks but also spilling out on the A405 and A414.

"Please continue to let us know what is happening and we will deal with the situation robustly in partnership with Starbucks.”