A dispersal order is in place in West Thurrock following concerns about a car cruise event. It was put in place at 9.30pm yesterday, Friday April 4, and will be in place until 9.30pm tomorrow, Sunday 6 April.
It follows reports of between 60 and 70 vehicles in the area, which is a known popular location for car meets. Essex Police received reports of vehicles driving at excessive speeds and in a dangerous manner posing a risk to the public. This order gives officers the powers to direct people suspected of being involved in this activity to leave the area or face arrest, and not return to the area for 48 hours.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said, “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.
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“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 the country. 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.
