Colchester: New PSPO to tackle anti-social driving

Colchester Borough Council have issued a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in response to complaints about anti-social driving related to car cruising.

The PSPO will enable police and council officers to take enforcement action and issue fines to individuals who meet to race, show off by doing doughnuts and keep people awake with excessive engine noise, car horns or music.

The PSPO comes after a public consultation received more than 175 responses – the overwhelming majority in favour of the PSPO.

Residents highlighted the impact the noise was having on their quality of life and the danger they believed the cruisers’ behaviour caused for other road users, cyclists and pedestrians.

The PSPO will remain in place for three years and covers the entire borough. Council officers will have the power to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) including a fine of £100 to anyone not complying with its terms. Failure to pay could result in a court prosecution and up to a £1000 fine.

Inspector Stuart Austin leads Colchester’s Community Policing Team. He praised the council for bringing in the measure as anti-social behaviour and dangerous driving had been long-running issues that have negatively affected residents in Colchester.

He said: “Despite several police operations and the introduction of new traffic calming measures, we continue to have complaints about people using their cars irresponsibly.

“Local residents have been kept awake at night due to people racing, revving their car engines and performing stunts. This is unacceptable.

“We will take robust action against anyone breaching the PSPO and fines will be issued.

“This is not about penalising law-abiding car enthusiasts but those who are driving dangerously and behaving anti-socially.”

Cllr Julie Young, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities, said: “This PSPO sends a clear message that car cruising and the anti-social activities associated with it will not be tolerated, and should help reassure residents that such unreasonable behaviour is being addressed.

“Residents and businesses in known hot spot areas will, I’m sure, be pleased to know that they will begin to receive intensive patrols to deter further anti-social behaviour, and I would also urge people elsewhere in the borough to report any car cruising to the police or the council, to enable wider enforcement to take place.”

If you have information related to car cruising or dangerous driving, please report it by calling us on 101. If there is a crime taking place or an immediate danger to life, please call 999.

More information on reporting and enforcing against car cruising and other vehicular nuisance is available on the council's website.

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