Hamilton residents plagued by boy racers are being urged to step up and reclaim their streets.

Hundreds of Illegal street racers have been congregating on Te Rapa straight before heading to rural roads causing chaos.

Retired Waikato Road Policing Manager and Hamilton City Councillor Leo Tooman says residents need to say enough is enough.

"I think it's really time we started to reclaim our streets. In other words say it's unacceptable in our community, and if you have a boy racer next door have a word to them."

Leo Tooman says history shows the only way to keep on top of it is continued police pressure.

"After a while they get a bit tired of paying infringement fees, having their car impounded and having to go to court, and they think it's time they grew up."