Covert cameras to catch WA hoon drivers

Police will soon use covert cameras to target hoon drivers in Perth at a cost of $170,000 over four years.

Making a pre-budget announcement on Sunday, Police Minister Liza Harvey said up to 24 covert cameras would help police catch motorists driving recklessly and endangering the lives of others.

"These new cameras will have the ability to be hidden in known hoon hotspots and will capture those vehicles in the act," she said.

The first set of cameras will be in use by the end of the year and will deliver on an election promise made last year.

WA has had the toughest anti-hoon legislation in the country, cracking down on street racing, excessive noise, reckless driving and burnouts.

Mandatory sentencing legislation was introduced by the state government to punish those who drive recklessly while evading police.

The state budget will be handed down on Thursday.