Shock figures show Basildon wallops major cities like Manchester when it comes to dumped vehicles.

Basildon was rated sixth in the country for abandoned cars removed and scrapped by the council in a national poll of English, Scottish and Welsh local authorities.

London's Croydon topped the poll, with 1,944 cars scrapped last year compared to Basildon's 997. Projected figures this year in Basildon are expected to soar to 1,200.

Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, said: "The value of scrap metal has fallen, meaning many motorists now have to pay dealers to take old cars off them.

"The easier alternative is just to dump them on roadsides, which is clearly reaching epidemic proportions."

Basildon and East Thurrock MP Angela Smith said: "It's really irresponsible of somebody to dump their car outside somebody's home, just because they don't want it any more."

She also raised concerns about safety, as many cars - usually vandalised within days - are left in areas where children could play in them and be injured.

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: "Cars being dumped is a nationwide problem, and Basildon is comparable to other Essex authorities, but the council has been forward-thinking and proactive in removing the cars."

Dumped - an abandoned car in Long Riding, Basildon

Picture: MIKE BELLENIE

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