About 40 cars were stopped as part of an operation to combat irresponsible driving around Lakeside shopping centre in Essex. Operation Wagtail on the evening of Saturday, July 6, 2013 aimed to tackle those ‘cruisers’ who flock to the area to race their cars and behave in an anti-social manner, say Essex Police. Two drivers were reported for summons for dangerous driving and officers handed out 23 fixed penalty notices for offences including tinted windows, loud exhausts, illegal number plates, drivers using mobile phones and ignoring no entry signs.
Two drivers caught not wearing a seatbelt were referred to the ‘Your Belt Your Life’ online course rather than giving them a ticket. Two more drivers were referred to a Speed Awareness Course.
Sixteen verbal warnings were given for various offences and about 150 warning letters will be going out to drivers whose number plates were recorded on the night.
It comes after a dispersal order was introduced in the area on June 1, 2013 to enable police to disperse groups of two or more people if there is evidence of anti-social behaviour or danger to the public. Police officers used tactics including closing off one lane of the ‘Lakeside Loop’ to prevent cars racing side-by-side along the dual carriageway. They also patrolled nearby multi-storey car parks to ensure cruisers did not move on to these areas.
Sgt Simon Willsher, of Essex Police’s Casualty Reduction Section, said: “Whilst the majority of people were law abiding car enthusiasts who wanted to admire each other’s cars, there was still an element who were driving illegally or willing to race on public roads and put others at risk – we will never accept this and always looks to prosecute where appropriate. Over the coming weeks, more than 60 people will find themselves at court for racing on roads around Lakeside at weekends.” Visit http://www.essex.police.uk
