Braintree: Officers deal with drivers acting illegally at car meets

Braintree officers have acted decisively to reports of street racing along the A131 south of the town and car meets in the Springwood Drive area.

Last month, they worked with Roads Policing officers and Braintree District Council to deter anti-social behaviour and driving on the industrial estate and along the A131 between Great Notley and Great Leighs.

“We know car enthusiasts like to get together to chat and show off their vehicles to each other. If they respect local residents, businesses and road-users that is fine but when they cause excessive noise, drive in an anti-social manner or attempt to race each other, that is not.”
Sergeant Kevin Mayle, of Braintree Community Policing Team

Last month, officers arrested two drivers on suspicion of drink-driving and reported another two for prosecution for illegal street racing during weekend car meets in the south Braintree area.

They issued section 59 warnings to six drivers, whose vehicles - or any vehicle they are driving - can be seized by police if they are caught driving anti-socially within the following 12 months.

Three drivers were issued with fixed penalty notices for speeding, seven for driving vehicles with illegal exhausts, and one for driving without insurance. Four drivers received FPNs for illegal number plates, two for driving cars without an MoT, seven for having vehicles with illegal exhausts, one for driving a vehicle with a cracked windscreen, one for a vehicle with an illegal tint and another for an illegal sun strip.

“Dangerous and inconsiderate driving endanger the lives of drivers, spectators and passers-by. If you are not in full control of your vehicle, you are a danger to yourself as well as to other road-users.
“Be aware that if you come to Braintree intent on driving dangerously or anti-socially in and around the town, we don’t tolerate this kind of behaviour.
“You risk being prosecuted and, if you are convicted of racing and other driving offences, you may be disqualified.
“Poorly-modified vehicles can also be unsafe and excessive revving of car engines can be very disruptive to the local community.
“As well as the specific action we’ve taken to address illegal activity surrounding recent car meets, all our officers will continue to tackle street racing, dangerous & anti-social driving and other associated offences because we know the risks they pose to the public and the harm they can cause.”
Sergeant Kevin Mayle

 

Tell us what you know

Anti-social behaviour can affect not just individuals but entire communities, too. If you're experiencing anti-social behaviour or you see or hear about anti-social behaviour issues, we want you to report it to us so that we can work with our community partners to resolve community issues.

You can report incidents of anti-social behaviour online, where you can also use Live Chat – open from 10am-9pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Alternatively, ring 101. You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, online or on 0800 555 111.

In an emergency, always call 999.

 

Extra Eyes

You can provide Extra Eyes with information about dangerous, illegal or poor driving, or about drivers taking unnecessary risks on our roads.

This includes speeding, careless driving, going through red lights, contravening traffic signs and using mobile phones whilst driving.

You can submit dash-cam footage at any time to Extra Eyes but please adhere to the following so that we have the best chance to progress your complaint:

• You and any other witness must be willing to attend court to give evidence
• Footage must be unedited, clear and in focus
• Vehicles must be identifiable
• Submissions must be made within 48 hours of the event

Please note:

Footage must show instances of driving behaviour which amounts to careless driving or leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position.

Where the alleged driving amounts to an offence and there is no footage, an independent witness, not within your vehicle, is required.

We do not encourage you to proactively seek out examples of poor driving; it should be captured on dash-cam as part of your normal journey.