They're the dark stains that litter our roadways, single but often found two abreast. They snake their way up our streets and can often be found in large circular patterns at intersections and roundabouts.

They are the distinctive calling card of the hoon - mindless people who often have nothing better to do than cause havoc on our roads in immature displays of bravado and stupidity.

They're also extremely unsightly and can cheapen an otherwise neat suburban street.

Spotting these hoons isn't difficult. We've all seen those hotted-up cars cruising the city streets with plain, spare wheels fitted exclusively on the back. They're certainly not there for aesthetics. They're fitted to these hoon mobiles for the sole purpose of performing burnouts.

Admittedly, there's no monetary cost to society linked to this practice. The only people losing out financially are the morons wasting tyre rubber by taking part in this illegal practice. But it is a growing culture of rebellion and a general disregard for the law that's increasing to the point that even the normally bustling CBD streets now wear the mark of these mindless hoons.

If caught, offenders run the risk of a hefty fine, losing their licence and even having their car clamped, or in the extreme, impounded permanently and sold off.

Not that any of that acts as a deterrent to many. Just look at the number of signs in the middle of our roads that have been smashed or flattened by people deliberately driving over the top of them.

One can only assume that these hoons simply have no fear of being caught. Or they simply don't care. And it's that type of attitude we as a society should be doing everything we can to deter.

Police regularly patrol our suburban streets, but they can't be everywhere all the time. And it has already been extensively reported that the Northern District is in need of more officers on the beat.

That's why it's important our police numbers are boosted and returned to what the government considers to be "full strength" much sooner rather than later.