CONTINUOUS burnouts in the Awatapu area have got on the last nerve of some residents, with claims one session on Monday afternoon continued for hours.

The sound of engines revving and tyres spinning ring out across the neighbourhood and surrounding streets regularly.

After this week’s boy racer session, there are fresh skid marks on Awatapu Drive, concentrated around Paul Street and Cleary Avenue.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said she saw young children out on the footpath on Monday as pieces of car flew past.

She said she called police three times – twice on the emergency line and once on the non-emergency number – but was disappointed by the lack of response.

“Something needs to be done. They’re holding our community to ransom.”

The woman understands those doing the burnouts were prospecting for a gang.

She is concerned for the safety of nearby residents, including the children and elderly who are breathing in smoke from the tyres, cannot leave their driveways without fear of collision and are feeling intimidated by activities in their neighbourhood.

Whakatāne police senior sergeant Helen Hay said more patrols would be done in the area, and she urged the community to continue reporting the issue.

The Beacon saw one police vehicle drive through the neighbourhood late yesterday morning.

“We will certainly be doing patrols in the area and any time this is happening, we urge the public to get in contact with us,” Mrs Hay said.

“If we are able to get there, we will get there as soon as possible.”

She said police were attending urgent jobs in other areas on Monday night.

“We got there as soon as we could, and we will continue to do patrols in the area to stop this from happening.”