Dispersal order put in to tackle cruisers (From Thurrock Gazette)

Dispersal order put in to tackle cruisers

8:00am Thursday 30th August 2012 in News

THE DEATH knell is sounding for boy racers meeting in retail car parks and racing around the “Lakeside GP” route.

Essex Police are stepping up their fight before “someone is killed or seriously injured” after introducing a dispersal zone.

Boy racers caught meeting in the area can be told to leave and not return, or be arrested.

The zone covers almost the entirety of west Thurrock, including Lakeside, its retail parks, the M25, A13 and areas to the south-west of the borough, including roads around the Vopak oil terminal.

The maniac boy-racers have been put to shame in recent weeks after the Gazette put videos on its website showing the dangers racers put themselves and other road users in.

Grays District Commander Chief Insp Richard Baxter said: “The dispersal order is another tool to combat this serious problem. “Officers have witnessed spectators, including children, standing on the verges and sometimes in the road encouraging the motorists to speed.

“It will only be a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured, which is why we will not give up in our fight against this anti-social behaviour.”

Cllr Angie Gaywood, Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for public protection, said: “These shocking actions show just how reckless these racers are, putting not only their own lives at risk, but also other road users. This is a criminal activity and I welcome the action taken.”