BOY racers have hit back at police and claimed they don’t all want to speed around Lakeside - but merely want to get-together and admire each others cars.

However, since police heightened their presence at the shopping centre, the meets have been hard to sort out.

Lewis Turner, 18, who lives in Grove Road, Grays, and owns a souped-up Nissan Micra, said: “We do not all want to race.

“We want to view each others cars and that is all, but it is becoming increasingly hard to meet up because of these police restrictions.

“Two months ago there was a big meet where all the cars engines were off and we just walked around to see everyone elses cars.

“No-one gets hurt and noise pollution was down. However, if places like this are taken away racers will only meet up at roadsides or other more anti-social places.”

Lewis added police would be more than welcome to attend such a meet and said similar arrangements have been made in the past in places like Rayleigh.

He added: “We like seeing the police involved and completely respect what they are doing.”

In October more than 80 racers were charged by police for speeding offences at Lakeside.

Thurrock Chief Insp Ben Hodder said the car park at the new Range centre had been popular in the past with car cruisers.

“We have been working with landowners to improve security measures to reduce the risks around poor driving and anti-social behaviour. This forms part of our wider plans to tackle cruisers in the area.

However he added: “I would be happy to arrange a meeting with cruisers to discuss concerns.”