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.
“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.
“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.
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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