A DISPERSAL order will come into force around Lakeside at the weekend in a bid to stop boy racers tearing around the shopping centre’s roads.

The action comes a month after police witnessed a car which was being raced go out of control and narrowly miss spectators on the side of the road. No one was hurt and the driver was dealt with for motoring offences.

The racers’ route for what they dub the Lakeside GP takes in roads through the retail park and Thurrock services. They have filmed cars darting around roundabouts and speeding past onlookers before placing clips on YouTube.

This is the second dispersal order on West Thurrock’s roads, allowing police to send groups of two or more people packing if there is evidence of antisocial behaviour. The last order was enforced in August 2012 and, after its success, the next one will come into play on Saturday. Anyone breaching the order can be arrested.

Already this year, police have issued a large number of fixed penalty fines for speeding, obstruction, having no insurance and no seatbelt, and arrested one person for being drunk and disorderly.

West Thurrock Neighbourhood Inspector Leigh Norris said: “The incident in which the car driver lost control highlights the significant risk to spectators, as well as drivers. There have also been reports of cars being driven on the wrong side of the road, swerving around members of the public as well as noise pollution from exhausts and car stereos upsetting residents.

“We recognise and support the rights of car enthusiasts to gather in public and socialise, but we will not tolerate anyone willing to put other road users at risk or disrupt the local community and will deal with them robustly.”

Angie Gaywood, Thurrock councillor for public protection, said: “The summer generally sees an increase in vehicles involved in these gatherings – and police say they have already seen a rise in reports to date this year.

“A dispersal order, granted for a up to six months, allows the police to act and prevent people being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed, for a period of up to 24 hours.”

Charlie Key, a South Chafford ward councillor, said: “Cruising is a significant problem locally, and coming to this conclusion has required police, the council, councillors, Lakeside and MP Jackie Doyle-Price to work together. I am sure residents will notice the benefits of this joint effort.