The smell of burning rubber and the sound of swearing is but a distant memory in Eastbourne town centre.

Until recently, residents who should have been sound asleep had to endure 60 or so cars zooming past their windows at high speeds on a nightly basis.

People fed up with the sound of wheelspins and thumping music were even too scared to ring the police for fear the cruisers could eavesdrop on police scanners and discover who was complaining.

Such was the din, some householders sold up and moved out of town to escape the roar of souped-up cars and the foul mouths of their drivers.

Now police have responded to the residents' pleas for help and officers have been patrolling the streets at night booking drivers for vehicle offences.

This newly-formed Eastbourne Community Problem Solving Team has banished all but a few of the cruisers.

Now residents can sleep sound in their beds, safe in the knowledge that, when it comes to catching criminals, the police are more expert in chases than any boy racer.