SO-CALLED boy racers have been active in south Essex for years, but it has recently become hot topic following complaints of cruising on Canvey and in Pitsea.

Many concerned residents are now questioning what the next steps will be to reduce the number of drivers speeding and carrying out dangerous manoeuvres on public roads.

Tory councillor for Castle Point, Ray Howard, has been tackling the issue for years now and he believes the best method of dealing with it is to crush the driver’s car.

He said: “The noise is unbelievable on Canvey. It has a high seawall and the cars are very loud. The skid marks they leave in the road are unbelievable and, at the end of the day, something needs to be done.

“My strategy is to set an example and crush the vehicles. Teach them a lesson.”

One resident, Lorraine Pidgeon, lives on St Michaels Road and is kept awake by the noise on Roscommon Way, which is almost a mile away.

The 41 year old carer said: “It’s terrible and I’m fed up with it

“It seems they are doing it every night now. I can’t keep my windows open so I’ve been using fans when it gets too hot which is using my electric up.

“I’m now thinking of moving as it’s started to affect my sleep.”

Independent councillor in Basildon, Imelda Clancy, agrees that the cars should be crushed but only as a last resort.

She said: “I think they should go to court and be made to do community service and a safety awareness course.

“But if they offend again after this, then their car should be crushed. But only if it is their car and not their parents’.

“They’re driving dangerously and somebody could be killed.”

Councillor Clancy also recognised that there is little to do in Pitsea to entice youngsters away from racing around the area.

She said: “There are things to do during the day in Pitsea but in the evening there is nothing.

“My school used to have a disco every week but we have nothing like that now. We have the buildings but we are not using them.”

Nathan Tuke, 25, who runs the Essex car cruisers page on Facebook, has a more passive approach and thinks that an off-road track should be made for people who want to cruise.

He said: “Drifting is done on main roads because a proper place to do it cost so much money these days. There should be a track built somewhere which is free and if you act stupid and crash then you pay for the damage. I think that would be fair. Most people who are into drifting are not on the street doing drugs and causing crime.”

Councillor Howard praised Essex Police for way they deal with the car cruisers, but councillor Clancy was not so complimentary about them. She said: “People are sick and tired of ringing up the police only for them to do nothing about it. There are a number of people who ask me why they pay council tax and the police don’t do a thing.”

Sgt Will Willsher from the Chigwell Roads Policing Unit, said: “Essex Police’s stance on cruisers is clear. Those who choose to act antisocially and drive in a manner which puts others at risk will be identified and we will use a variety of powers available to us to encourage them to change their behaviour.