Car meets: Why we want people to enjoy their vehicles and stay safe

When groups of car enthusiasts gather in towns across Essex, the majority of meets pass off safely and without incident.

However, there have been occasions when our officers have been forced to take enforcement action when drivers have put other road users and spectators in danger.

When there is racing, drivers performing burnouts or doughnuts, excessive engine noise leading to complaints, or roads being blocked off, our officers have no choice but to act.

We understand people love their cars but that cannot be at the expense of people’s safety or local residents’ quality of life.

In 2023, two spectators were knocked over by a driver racing in Thurrock, and spectators have been killed at car meets in other parts of country.

Last weekend, a car meet in Southend led to three cars being seized and one driver being arrested for drug driving.

Thirty-seven drivers were subsequently issued Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for breaches of the city’s Public Space Protection Order.

One of the seized cars, a white Sierra Cosworth, was found to have an engine from a stolen vehicle and was not roadworthy.

In the first three months of 2025 there have been more than 250 reports of nuisance vehicles into Essex Police, many related to car cruise events and anti-social driving.

Powers at officers’ disposal include Dispersal Orders - temporary measures that allows officers to direct anyone involved in anti-social behaviour to leave a designated area quietly, or risk being arrested – and Section 59 notices, which can lead to a vehicle being seized if the driver doesn’t stop using it in an anti-social manner.

'Responsible drivers are welcome'

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Hughes says that officers aren’t out to spoil anyone’s fun but the danger that cars pose in wrong hands cannot be underestimated:

“The overwhelming majority of people who attend car meets are there to share their love of their vehicles and talk to people with the similar interests.
“They have every right to congregate and as long as everyone else can carry on with their lives peacefully and safely without disruption there is no issue. Prior to last weekend, there hadn’t been an FPN issued at a car meet in Southend since July 2024.
“Unfortunately, a tiny minority of drivers can sometimes behave with a disregard for local area and the safety of others. There can be children at these events and a momentary misjudgement have devastating consequences.
“If cars are being driven irresponsibly or anti-socially, we will intervene, and if you show us you can’t be trusted at the wheel of your vehicle, we will seize it.
“We’re here to make sure everyone can enjoy themselves and stay safe. Don’t be that person who spoils the night for everyone else.”

Help us reduce road collisions and casualties in Essex and make our roads even safer. Report instances of poor and dangerous driving through Safer Essex Roads Partnership's Extra Eyes initiative.

More than ever, irresponsible, dangerous and illegal road behaviour is being recorded by road users. Through Extra Eyes this footage can be sent to, and reviewed by, an investigator within Road Policing at Essex Police.

Find out how by visiting Safer Essex Roads Partnership website.