A TOTAL of 450 drivers in souped-up cars descended on Southend for an unauthorised cruising event, despite there being an injunction to deter the meetings.

Police reported there were a “small number of prosecutions” during the event on Southend sea front on Monday night, owed to reckless driving.

Sargent Ian Hughes, who attended the scene, took the above photo to illustrate the scale of the event.

It comes after Southend Council secured an injunction against unauthorised car cruise events and “unsanctioned meets” that put lives at risk and give no thought to safety.

The meeting was met with Sgt Hughes’ appeal to Essex car club bosses to strike up talks with police and Southend Council to hold authorised events.

He said: “We were there at about 7pm after learning the meeting was going to take place through surveillance of social media.

“There was evidence of poor driving which resulted in a small number of prosecutions by the council.

“But as is often the case, it was the minority who gave the majority a bad name and spoilt it.

“If they lost control of the car while performing stunts and ploughed into people it could easily result in a fatality.

“We want to work with the clubs to prevent this kind of thing, and urge them to approach the council to arrange authorised cruises.”

Carl Robinson, Director for Public Protection at Southend Council said the council’s enforcement team dealt with a “small number of offences swiftly” and asked organisers to get in touch to discuss future plans.

But one car club boss who attended the cruise said previous talks had broken down and welcomed police intervention.

22-year-old Elliot Lyons, an engineer from Conway Avenue, Southend is the boss of the Sleeper Crew, which has about 4,500 members.

He said: “We’ve tried talking to the council previously but are attempts get ignored.

“And we feel the council will want to cash in from our meets.

“We pay our taxes so can use the roads, our meets are no different to people meeting up to go to the beach.

“I’m pleased the council want to engage with us, and I think the injunction stopping people behaving like idiots and spoiling the cruises is a good thing.”