Why hasn't the boy racer control order been signed by the Council

My question to the Council Leader:

“The menace of cruisers in the Lakeside area has been a nightmare to  Chafford Hundred residents and indeed to everyone living in the vicinity and the police need every tool possible to tackle it.

Why has the council not renewed the Public Spaces Protection Order which the police require to deal with the racers?"

Answer?

RacTo follow after Wednesday's meeting.

BOY RACERS ISSUE: MESSAGE FROM PC PAUL ARMSTRONG

Dear All,

You have all justifiably complained to me in the past about the on-going ASB caused by the cruisers (boy-racers) at Lakeside, whether it be noise nuisance or dangerous driving.

I am writing on this occasion to request your support.

Thurrock Council are looking to implement a Public Space Protection Order across the Lakeside retail park basin. Once approved, this new legislation will help us to combat the issue for a year, with the possibility of an extension of this order for three years.

Part of the evidence that they need to support the case is confirmation of this regular inconvenience in writing from local residents.

Please could you take the time to respond to this email by reply or by letter? It can be a few lines or a lot more, should you so wish.

The emphasis needs to be on how this problem has affected you personally and for how long. What have you experienced? Where do you live exactly? How often does it happen? Etc…

Ideally I need replies within the next week, two weeks at a push.

I hope that you can help in this matter. My contact details are below.

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

Best regards,

Paul.


PC Paul 74057 ARMSTRONG
Dedicated Neighbourhood Constable
Purfleet and West Thurrock
NPT C Shift
Tel: 101 ext 364126
External Fax: 01375362178
Internal Fax: 364335
Email: 74057@essex.pnn.police.uk
Website: www.essex.police.uk
South Ockendon Police Station
Darenth Lane
South Ockendon
Essex
RM155LJ

MP Jackie Doyle-Price to join police in tackling Lakeside boy racers

              

MP Jackie Doyle-Price will join forces with Essex Police and Essex Fire to try to crack down on boy racers at Lakeside at the end of the month.
Operation Wagtail will hit Lakeside on Saturday January 31 to tackle the issue of 'cruising'.

 

Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price will tag along on a ride-a-long with the Neighbourhood Policing Team to see how the issue is being addressed.
Chief Inspector Leigh Norris, District Commander for Thurrock, said: "Street racing poses not only a danger to other road users but also the surrounding road networks and to those using the footpaths and local leisure facilities."
"There have been complaints from local residents about the noise pollution and local businesses within the Lakeside area have been forced to close early to prevent incidents of crime and disorder."
Police authorised a 24-hour dispersal order on December 27 in a bid to reduce vehicle based anti-social behaviour and street racing in vehicles.
Chief Inspector Norris added: “I have been working extensively with local businesses, partner agencies and the community to address these issues."

Ms Doyle-Price added: “The issue of car cruising in the Lakeside area has been causing nuisance to local residents for a number of years.  I want to see at first hand how Essex Police are dealing with the problem and see what else can be done to tackle this menace once and for all. 
"It may be that it requires physical changes to the road network, but the public should be assured that the Police are determined to fix the problem.”

Over sixty drivers prosecuted at illegal cruiser event | Your Thurrock

MORE than 60 drivers are to be prosecuted for speeding and road racing offences after police intervened at an illegal cruiser event in south Essex.
Officers from the Essex Police Casualty Reduction Section used unmarked cars fitted with video recording equipment as well as other tactics to identify offenders on a section of dual carriageway near Lakeside shopping centre.
Drivers and spectators from throughout London and the South East took part in the “drifting” and road racing event on Saturday night, May 4.
Offenders have been identified through vehicle index numbers and they will be summonsed to court for various offences.
Sgt Simon Willsher, who led the police investigation, said: “Cruiser events in Essex are usually good-natured and enjoyed by hundreds of enthusiasts who meet to show off their cars and talk about their hobby.
“But there is always the minority of drivers who take part in illegal street racing and drifting events, putting their own lives and the lives of spectators at risk.
“On Saturday night at Lakeside cars were racing at up to 80mph along a section of road that has a 40mph limit. These speeding cars were passing only inches from spectators who had no crash barriers or railings to protect them had any of those cars crashed out of control.
“We will continue to act robustly to deal with drivers who break the law while taking part in these events.”

VIDEO: Boy racers face prosecution after police step in at Lakeside race event (From Thurrock Gazette)

VIDEO: Boy racers face prosecution after police step in at Lakeside race event (From Thurrock Gazette): "Boy racers face prosecution after police step in at Lakeside race event 7:20pm Tuesday 7th May 2013 in News By Matt Abbott VIDEO: Boy racers face prosecution after police step in at Lakeside race event A RAFT of boy racers are going to face the full force of the law after again racing around roads at Lakeside. Police used unmarked cars fitted with video recording equipment to catch more than 60 drivers who were drifting and road racing at speeds of up to 80mph on a dual carriageway stretch near the shopping centre on Saturday night. As on many other occasions in recent months, drivers came from all over the region and raced eachother as spectators perched on kerbs, with speeding cars passing perilously close to them. Cruisers then uploaded videos to You Tube "

'via Blog this'

Police's new kit to tackle cruising headache (From Thurrock Gazette)

Police's new kit to tackle cruising headache (From Thurrock Gazette):

BOY racers, with modified cars and exhaust amplifiers, are causing “misery” to Chafford Hundred residents.

Cruisers meet at car parks dotted around Lakeside shopping centre late at night over the weekend before taking to local roads to race or show off.

Residents and councillors have spoken out against the noise, which can be heard deep into Chafford Hundred.

Charlie Key, ward councillor for Chafford South, said: “The issue of racing in the Lakeside area has been going on for a number of years, but still we get complaints from residents deep inside Chafford Hundred who can hear the noise of racing cars from quite a distance away.

“Cllr Tunde Ojetola and Jackie Doyle-Price MP have worked hard to get restrictions put in place on the A126 to clampdown on the racing in that area.

“We continue to work alongside the police and Operation Wagtail to prevent this nuisance affecting the residents of Chafford Hundred and the surrounding areas.”

Essex Police have announced they have a new device, aimed at tackling the noise from modified cars. The audio analysers can measure exhaust noise output and prosecute motorists who are breaching regulations.

Police say they will be using the kit in targeted operations at Lakeside and other known boy racer hotspots.

“We can use these sound kits to reassure the public and demonstrate the police action when complaints are received.”Road Policing Sergeant Simon Willsher said: “Drivers need to be aware of the consequences of their anti-social behaviour and consider the impact of their actions to residents and local people. Offending will land anti-social drivers in court.

One Chafford Hundred resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s a constant droning all weekend.”

Unlawful use of roads in Thurrock for car racing and noise issues

Dear Residents

You will be pleased to know that this will soon be a thing of the past.

The Council and the Highways Agency are planning to put bollards to prevent u-turns at the A126. Included to this, they gave me the following update:

Unlawful use of roads in Thurrock for car racing and noise issues

A multi-agency group has been set up to look at methods of tackling the issue from this group action as set out below has been taken or investigated as to practicality of implementation.

• Essex police regularly target the area with special operations.
  
• police have seized vehicles under driving legislation and Road Traffic legislation relating to insurance
  orders for the Lakeside and Oliver road areas have been introduced on three occasions;
  
• police takes photos of the cruisers cars and sends them with a letter to insurance companies
  
• of speed cameras on the A126 and Oliver Road has been looked into but the accident statistics for both roads are insufficient to justify the placing of such cameras on safety grounds.
  
• The placing of overt CCTV cameras on the A126 was considered but found impractical.
  
• A camera was placed on Oliver road but failed to capture any evidential quality footage that could be used.
  
• new 50 Mph speed limit on the A126 has been considered, however this is unlikely to affect those who are causing the noise issues through racing, as in many cases the speed limit is already exceeded.
  
•  calming measures have been implemented on West Thurrock Way, and will shortly be fitted in Oliver Road. This option is not available for the A126 because its status as an A road dual carriageway.
  
• The piloting of temporary alterations to the dumbbell roundabout over the A13 used as part of the circuit for racers on the A126 is hopefully to be shortly implemented by the Highways agency.
  
• Warning signs have been displayed on access points to the A126
  
• Blue tooth transmission technology has been used on a regular basis at the sites of Cruises to send messages to mobile phones in the area targeting those involved with a warning message re driver behaviour.
  
• Essex Police have been working to target the organisers of such gatherings to make them legally responsible for the gatherings.
  
• Specially organised Cruiser meetings have been organised at Arena Essex with access to the track for the cruisers vehicles.
  
• A meeting with a large number of the cruisers was organised by Essex police and held in Kent to try and get agreement on control of the behaviour through self policing.
  
• Essex Police have also been working with the cruiser press and web sites to deter the use of various locations including Thurrock in Essex
  

Speed Cushions to Deter Racing

Dear Resident

Please find below the proposal to put speed cushions on Oliver Road, West Thurrock to prevent boy racers cruising down the area.

I am aware that this doesn't solve the A126 problem, but its a step in the right direction.

Please send me any comments you may have.

Regards

tojetola@thurrock.gov.uk

Racing on the A126 - Police Action over the Weekend

Many residents have raised concerns about the raising on this street and the consequent noise pollution.

Although the police had taken action previously to divert traffic away from the Road on Saturday nights, this had impacted on some residents who had to take a very long detour.

However, if you passed through the A126 on Saturday (22nd May) you would have noticed that the police set up road reduction so that they could allow local resident access, but at the same time, deter anyone from racing.

I am not sure how sustainable this is though as there were at least 4 police officers and 2 police cars there. The longer term measures of speed measures or cameras still seem to be feasible.

I will keep you posted.

If you did witness the police operation, your feedback is welcome, either to me (tojetola@thurrock.gov.uk) or directly to the police.

Racing on A126 - Action at last

Dear Resident

You will be pleased to know that finally some action is being taken to curtail the racing on this road.

Funding has been found for speed bumps in Oliver Road.

Unfortunately, speed bumps cannot be put onto the A126 as it is a main road but as it is not used frequently at night it is a possibility that the Highways Agency may be able to close it off at certain periods to prevent the racers from going there. This will require further investigation and I will keep you posted.

Speed cameras on the A126 is also not an option becasue of government figures. There have to be a certain number of deaths/accidents/collisions before an installation is approved.

In the meantime the police have assured me that they will do their best on Saturday nights to move the racers on.

Please still contact me (tojetola@thurrock.gov.uk) if you witness or are disturbed by the racing to build the evidence and to keep the pressure on for further action to be implemented.

Re-elect Tunde Ojetola - working hard for Chafford Residents - 6th May 2010 local elections

Racing Issue In West Thurrock

Dear Residents,

I am aware that this is a long running sensitive issue which many of you have raised with me. I promised to keep you updated whenever I have information about proposed actions.

The Council along with the Police are investigating the following as long term solutions to be implemented:

• Anti-social behaviour injunctions


• Warning notices - similar to the motorbike ones, leading to possible seizure of vehicles.


• Dispersal Orders


• We will be working with the Fire Services to put in road cushions on some of the routes used as road accidents are getting serious when cruisers are present.


• More joint operations (Council and Police)


• Looking at an increase in Automatic Number Plate Recognition in the area


• Joint teams working together

Boy racers back in Southend town

“Thurrock police did the same thing. They also had a very strong campaign, and the cars moved back down here.” Chief Insp John Walker, Southend police
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CRUISERS have come back to Southend causing problems for neighbours by roaring around town in the early hours.

Police officers have identified drivers who have come from as far as Cornwall and Nottingham to show off their souped-up vehicles.

The problem has become particularly bad around Farringdon multi-storey car park, in Elmer Approach, Southend.

Jonathan Garston, councillor for Milton ward, highlighted the problem at a public meeting held by the Essex Police Authority.

He said: “There’s a number of hot spots in the Southend area, particularly Farringdon car park. Vehicles are going in there until a very late hour causing a real disturbance to the neighbours.”

Chief Insp John Walker, of Southend police, said: “It’s very cyclical. We dealt with this about 18 months ago. We forced them out of Southend, so they went to other areas like Pitsea, Basildon, and Thurrock.

“Thurrock police did the same thing. They also had a very strong campaign, and the cars moved back down here.”

Chief Insp Walker said the police had been cracking down on cruisers, but often there were few reasons to stop them.

However, PC Ian Harlow, of the seafront policing team, has warned cruisers they are able to give them section 59 orders if they are seen driving erratically.

The order is put on both the driver and the vehicle.

He explained: “If the vehicle is seen being driven in a bad manner, or if the driver is seen driving badly again, we can actually seize the vehicle.”

(From Echo News )

Organised Car Racing

Just to make you aware,

Car Cruisers at Arena Essex plan on running another event on the 20th September in conjunction with the Police to try and take the vehicles off the public roads. The Police and the Council are working with the organisers of the event to ensure noise levels are at a minimum and that the racers leave without disrupting residents at the end of the event.

My main concern is that the race can attract many other boy racers to the area, however the Police are optimistic that providing organised events will take the races off public roads. However, the Police have advised that they will ensure that the vehicles leaving the event at midnight will be staggered as last time to prevent any issues with residents.

They will also monitor the race for noise levels although they are of the view that it should not be heard over the normal levels outside the grounds of the arena.

I have advised the police that I'll bring this to residents attention and ask you to please let me/police/the Council know about any noise nuisance.

The out of hours number to call to report any noise nuisance is 01375 372468

Boy Racer Issue

Residents (especially those who live closer to the A126 - the road that links the A13 to Lakeside) will be pleased to know that this nuisance has now been dealt with.

Council have issued:

An order for Urban Clearway; &

A Dispersal Order

Both of which give the police powers to clear the area or remove vehicles causing the nuisance.

In answer to a question from Cllr Veryard, at the last full Council, the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, Cllr Ben Maney announced:

The Council has been working with the local police to ensure that resolute action is taken to resolve the problem of motor cruising and caring on the A126 around Lakeside.

As a result, an order has been made for an Urban Clearway on the relevant part of the A126 used by those who race and this is now in force. This enables the police to apprehend the drivers of vehicles that are parked on this stretch of road if they are suspected of being involved.

The Council recently signed a Dispersal Order to cover the affected area and this will provide further enforcement powers to tackle this problem. The police are continuiing operations in an effort to resolve the situation on the A126, details of which they will be in a position to release shortly.

If you still experience this nuisance, please contact me or the police asap.

Police clamp down on Lakeside "boy racers"

POLICE are clamping down on "boy racers" speeding near Lakeside Shopping Centre late at night.

The boy racers, who are using the A126 to "cruise" are causing sleepless nights for Chafford Hundred homeowners.

One homeowner, who asked to not be named, said: "It's blighting every Saturday night.

"The noise is horrendous and it's not just one car it's lots of cars.

"It makes you feel so helpless."

The man said the boy racers have been operating in the area since Christmas and he is regularly kept awake by the noise on a Saturday night.

The latest incident happened on a week night last Tuesday when he was kept awake until 4am.

An operation was mounted at Lakeside and Paycocke Road, Basildon, which is another hotspot for "cruisers", on February 23.

During the operation a number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued.

Inspector Nick Morris from Thurrock Police said: "It was brought to our attention at Christmas.

"The problem is they are quite well organised through their website.

"We had marked cars down and they disappear but return when they have gone."

Essex Police is currently carrying out work to put in place a permanent and long term solution to the problem.

In the meantime a number of operations are planned to enforce Road Traffic Regulations on the A126 at weekends.

Inspector Morris added: "We will not tolerate people coming to Thurrock in order to drive in a dangerous and anti-social manner and we will continue to target these people, as well as those that come to watch.

"We have visited other police forces from across the country who have successfully put in place measures to eradicate "cruising".

"Work is now taking place to replicate these plans across Thurrock."

Among the offences fixed penalty notices (FPNs) were issued for on February 23 were: Windows being too heavily tinted, number plates not being displayed properly, obstruction of the highway, speeding, no MOT, misuse of lamps, no seat belts, using mobile phones.

(From Thurrock Gazette)

A126 - Letter to Police Chief

John,

Thank your for your last email updating me about Swiftsure Road.

With regret I however have to bring another issue to your attention - in case you are not aware of it already.

Friday/Saturday nights have been come a bit of a nightmare for residents of South Chafford, especially those located closer to Lakeside. This is because the A126 is now being used as a speed circuit by numerous cars.

I have witnessed this on a few occasions. The 'race track' seems to be from the roundabout at the top of the A126 (where it links the A13) all the way down to the first roundabout (next to Mercedez in Lakeside). The speeding is breakneck, notwithstanding the fact that other road users are on the road.

On each occasion I witnessed it, I have reported it to Grays Police station - with the usual response of 'we are aware of it' or 'officers will soon be at the scene' etc. However, even if your officers have been out, it has not dittered the perpetrators. The racing happens week after week, it is increasing in numbers and to me is an accident waiting to happen; talkless of the noise nuisance it is causing to my constituents with the revving of engines or the continuous sound of speeding and braking/screeching.

Can you please ask your officers to monitor the area or just stay there in a visible car for a couple of hours over the nights in question. I would also appreciate any updates you have on the line of action you plan to take.

Happy to discuss.

NB: Copied to Cllr Maney as he has Cabinet responsibility for Crime and Disorder.

A126 'Racing Circuit'

Many of us have experienced either the actual racing or the noise from the speed and sound of engines roaring over recent weekends.

For those who don't know what I am talking about, I am referring to the races that now take place around Lakeside over some weekends. The cars drive at breakneck speed and I think there is a very serious accident waiting to happen.

I have alerted the police about this and will continue pressing for action to enforce the appropriate speed limits and road use in the area.

If you have witnessed the races and are happy to provide details, please either fill same here or contact me directly: tojetola@thurrock.gov.uk.