BOY racers are finally being given the boot from Basildon after years of causing nuisance.

For more than a decade cruisers have been running riot across the district and in recent months have started heaping their misery on to the town’s industrial estates where they have caused thousands of pounds of damage to firms’ properties.

But now police have set up a ring of steel around Basildon in a bid to keep the boy racers out by introducing a dispersal order.

The order means police can move cruisers and the spectators who turn out in their droves to watch them in designated areas.

Anyone caught returning to an area within 24-hours of being moved on faces arrest, a fine and in the worst cases a spell in prison.

The dispersal zone stretches from the A127 at Uppermayne taking in Pound Lane, Burnt Mills Road, Eastmayne, Cranes Farm Road and all roads and car parks within that area.

It means the industrial estates recently blighted by the cruisers – including Pipps Hill, Bentalls, Burnt Mills and the Mayflower retail park and the Pitsea flyover – will also be covered by the dispersal order.

Insp Scott Cannon of Pitsea police said officers will be out in force to police the no-go zone.

He said: “For years cruisers have caused misery for businesses and residents alike.

“What they do is not only dangerous it is extremely disruptive for the people who have to listen to the noise and clean up the inevitable mess left behind.

“This dispersal order demonstrates our zero tolerance to this issue and our continued commitment to try to rid Basildon of this problem and restore peace to businesses and residents.

“Cruisers driving dangerously or causing a nuisance face a fine, having their car seized and maybe even imprisonment in the worst cases.”

He added: “Our message is clear we don't want them here causing trouble anymore.

“Cruisers should also be clear that just because they might not see police doesn’t mean we aren’t there watching their every move.

“We will be using covert tactics to catch them out and using resources such as CCTV to prosecute those driving dangerously.

“The choice is up to you, cruise in Basildon and we will see you in court.”

The dispersal order runs from this week until until October.