BOY racers have been urged to put the brakes on illegal street racing in Colchester before someone is killed.
Chief Constable of Essex Police Ben-Julian Harrington branded the behaviour “immensely dangerous”, adding: “I don’t think there is a Max Verstappen here.”
The Gazette revealed in May how boy racers are using the city centre as a racetrack, with reports of similar behaviour taking place on the roads surrounding the Lakelands estate in Stanway.
It followed 22-year-old Kyle Clark, of Crossfield Way, Kirby Cross, being sentenced at Colchester Magistrates’ Court for performing donuts in his BMW in Tollgate East, Stanway.
Investigation - a police car at Abberton Reservoir next to tyre tracks left by boy racers (Image: Essex Police)
“Some people like sitting in car parks revving their engines and look, we might have to disagree on that,” said Mr Harrington.
“Doing donuts in a car park and racing around city streets is immensely dangerous.
“I don’t think there is a Max Verstappen here. The last time I saw him he was on the Formula 1 track.
“All it takes is a child to walk into a road or a person to come out of a pub after a drink and it becomes a tragedy.
Plea - Chief Constable of Essex Police Ben-Julian Harrington (Image: Newsquest)
“At that point driving at speed for fun through Colchester becomes a death by dangerous driving investigation.”
A police probe was launched on May 21 after a white BMW ploughed through the railings at Abberton Reservoir during a car meet.
A three year Public Space Protection Order was introduced across the whole city last September.
It means criminal action can be taken against motorists causing a nuisance including car racing, engine revving, stunts and amplified music.
Anti social - tyre tracks left in Smeaton Close, Colchester (Image: Newsquest)
The chief constable praised the legislation and said it gives officers more opportunities to act.
“The people of Essex love their cars and that’s a fact," he said.
“So we try to work with the car enthusiasts to make sure they enjoy them sensibly.
“There are a number of people who are criminal within that group but it is not the group as a whole.”
He added: “Most of those people are responsible but we need to make sure they are enjoying safely and not causing distress to the community.
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