Speed and anti-social behaviour are issues bothering some Oropi Road residents who want something done about both.

The road has long been a destination for boy racers and is also notorious for crashes, say residents who spoke to SunLive about both issues.

One local, who did not wish to be named, contacted SunLive after getting fed up with young people racing vehicles along the road.

'The advice we keep getting from police is call 111 and report it. But nothing happens. These guys aren't stupid – they have fake plates, or no plates, and keep a lookout for police.”

He says the last two weeks have been particularly bad, with the hoons tearing up the road, lighting fires, dumping rubbish, and drinking.

'All you have to do is go for a drive to see where they're doing it. I'm not a prude, but my wife and kids drive that road every day. It's horrendously dangerous, and something needs to be done. I'm calling the police at least once a week, and this has been going on for years.

'I guess the thought is that it's rural and remote, so no one will care. They think they're away from the general public, but a lot of people live up there now. They know the police are busy, too, and they take advantage of that.”

He wants to see the police doing random patrols on Friday and Saturday nights, with no warning, as a potential deterrent.

'Ultimately, if something isn't done, somebody will get killed again.”

Fellow resident Colin Vermeulen, who has lived in on the road for three years, agrees it's an ‘absolute racetrack' – but for all drivers.

'They all go the general New Zealand speed limit, which is over 100km/h,” he says.

'When I come out of my driveway, I've got to be very careful. And when I do leave, I've got to get a move on, because there's going to be someone up my arse in two seconds.”

He says he's written to the council to look at the speed limit, which is 80km/h, even though he says it's a built-up area.

'They said they had to wait for a government proposal on roads, and I haven't heard anything more from them.”

He says there have been ‘umpteen' accidents on Oropi Road, and wants to see the speed limit down to 50km/h to reflect the growing suburban nature of the road.

Road policing team coordinator Senior Sergeant Ian Campion says police are aware there are ongoing concerns about anti-social driving behaviour on Oropi Road and adjoining roads, and they are working to try and help combat the issue.

'Police have regularly patrolled in the area, but unfortunately we can't be everywhere. We encourage people to ring 111 immediately if they witness any driving of this type so we can respond immediately where operational commitments permit,” says Ian.

'Please try to note down registration numbers, makes and models of cars, and descriptions or identities of the people driving to pass onto police.”

He says this information can go a long way in helping police to locate these offenders and hold them accountable.

'We do not, however, recommend you ever approach these offenders yourself,” adds Ian.

'Police believe many of these anti-social young drivers live in the Oropi community. Police seek the support of parents and whanau in preventing this offending as we don't want these drivers to hurt an innocent road user or themselves. This isn't just a case of young people having fun – they are a danger to themselves and others.”