Essex Police and Thurrock Council have said a 'zero tolerance' approach will be taken to unpermitted trap racing in the borough, following a special meeting.

The meeting was called in response to a large-scale trap racing event that took place in the Manorway in Corringham in August.

The 'King of the Road' event on August 4 caused widespread outrage among residents, including criticism of the police and council.

Members, including Essex Police’s Chief Superintendent Sean O’Callaghan and Council Leader Rob Gledhill, gathered at the ‘extraordinary’ Cleaner, Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny meeting at council offices in Grays last Monday September 13.

At the meeting, the council said they will “implement available measures” to prevent future trap-races and investigate further restrictions such as Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) for the Manorway.

Police added they would commit to deploying ‘necessary’ resources to prevent trap-races in the future.

Shared intelligence between the police and the council was also agreed to be used, along with a ‘working protocol’ for future unlawful events.

Leader of the Council Councillor Rob Gledhill said: “Hearing the force’s response had nothing to do with police numbers should go a long way to dispel the belief that austerity is to blame for every problem that the police or public services don’t tackle.

“We have already accepted the apology from Essex Police and we have seen a new level of partnership, working to deliver a faster and more joined-up response on unlawful encampments.

“The Council and police will not tolerate the misuse of our roads and I am sure that any further abuse will be dealt with in a much more efficient way.”

Speaking about the wider impact of unauthorised encampments, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Councillor Pauline Tolson said: “A lot of work is going in to bring Thurrock back up to an acceptable state of cleanliness but we do appear to battling a constant stream of unlawful encampments.

“Usually, these encampments leave waste and debris behind which needs to be cleared. This additional work takes staff off routine and scheduled services which has a wider impact on the borough.

“I’m extremely pleased to see the full commitment from everybody involved to ensure this is a priority issue moving forward.”