Boy racers blamed as Manchester road deaths rise during lockdown

Police say many accidents involve young men who have leased high-powered vehicles

Road deaths in one of Britain's biggest police force areas have increased by 42% this year despite a substantial drop in traffic during lockdown, with a senior officer blaming boy racers driving high-speed leased cars, often high on drink or drugs.

Cycling organisations and lawyers representing injured cyclists report a similar picture nationally, with one law firm saying cycling cases were up 45% year-on-year.