THURROCK Council and Essex Police have taken action to stop the roads around the Lakeside shopping centre being used as a racetrack.
On Saturday (1 June) a dispersal order, allowing police to disperse groups of two or more people if there is evidence of anti-social behaviour or danger to the public, will come into force.
In May last year Essex Police became aware of a “racetrack route” dubbed by cruisers as the Lakeside GP – circling the whole area of Lakeside from the Arena Essex / Moto Services roundabout, around the shopping centre and back up to the A13.
A dispersal order was successfully sought last year and, as they only last for six months, the council and police are following it up again.
Internet-based clips have been posted by spectators as recently as 4 May this year, showing large numbers of people standing along the route and in the road
Filming the racing vehicles would have posed a significant threat of injury to pedestrians/onlookers and in March – while police were deployed in the area – they saw a near-miss where a racing car lost control and veered into the crowd of spectators. Luckily nobody was hurt and the driver was dealt with for driving offences.
Insp Leigh Norris of the West Thurrock Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This incident highlights the significant risk to spectators as well as the drivers. There have also been reports of cars being driven on the wrong side of the road, swerving around members of the public as well as the noise pollution from exhausts and car stereos which upset local residents.”
Since the beginning of March 2013 this year, police have issued many fixed penalty notices for speeding, obstruction, having no insurance and/or no seatbelt, plus one arrest for being drunk and disorderly.
Cllr Angie Gaywood, Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for public protection, added: “The summer months generally see an increase in the numbers of vehicles involved in these gatherings – and police say they have already seen a rise in the numbers of reports to date this year.
“A dispersal order, granted for a up to six months, allows the police to act and prevent people being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed, for a period of up to 24 hours.”
Insp Norris added that if the order to disperse is not followed, those breaking it can be arrested.
The order provides police with with extra powers to disperse large groups of people and help reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in road collisions as well as combating the anti-social use of roads.
Cllr Gaywood said: “I believe the majority of cruisers and car enthusiasts are law-abiding people and – other than their being in one place in large numbers – do not cause significant problems.
“Unfortunately there is an element within them who are willing to risk lives by racing on public roads.”
And Insp Norris said: “Essex Police recognise and support the rights of car enthusiasts to gather in public and socialise together, but we will not tolerate anyone who is willing to put other road users at risk or disrupt the local community and will deal with them robustly.”
Chafford councillor Charlie Key said “This is an issue residents regularly raise with Cllr Ojetola and I, and we wholeheartedly support this dispersal order.
“Cruising is a significant problem locally, and in coming to this conclusion has required Essex Police, the Council, councillors, Lakeside and our MP Jackie Doyle-Price to work together. I am sure residents will notice the benefits of this joint effort.”