Police tell cruisers 'don't bother turning up' (From Echo)
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Police tell cruisers 'dont' bother turning up'
3:57pm Friday 15th June 2012 in News By Gina Marden
CRUISERS, looking to head to Lakeside this weekend, are being told not to bother turning up by police.
Boy racers are understood to be attempting to use the internet to organise a gathering at the Thurrock shopping centre on Saturday night.
But police have cottoned on to the plans and are warning cruisers not to come.
Insp Tony Adams said: "Unfortunately in Essex, we have seen incidents where people have suffered life changing injuries or lost their lives as a result of road collisions during such events.
"Police will be there in numbers, and we will take all possible action against anyone driving dangerously.
"We will be engaging with members of the public at Lakeside and providing a visible presence ensuring anybody in the area has a safe and legal evening."
Police will be patrolling the area in marked and unmarked cars and will also have evidence gatherers filming any meet.
Comments are closed on this article.
Comments (57)
4:44pm Fri 15 Jun 12
PoorFleet says...
Labelling groups with derogatory terms from the outset is obviously a form of prejudice. Boy Racer is not a compliment nor a respectful title.
Many meets held in car parks, after peak hours are often great evenings. Men and women discussing motors and sharing their passion for them. You'll always get the numptys that decide to speed or break the law and rightly so they should be penalised but harrassing cars that have committed no offence is disgusting.
On multiple occasions I am tailgated by Police cars and egged on to speed just because of the car I drive. That's not pro-active policing, that's entrapment. Creating criminals to fill a target quota.
I know some will think change cars but why should I? I have commited no offence, I am insured, taxed, MOT'd and have a right to do what I like within the limits of the law.
If you were told not to wear shoes because although not illegal, you'll get stopped and searched more how would you feel?
Once again, I'm not condoning illegal activity, far from it. I'm merely stating that harrassing cars that are not commiting offences or causing a nuisance is wrong.
4:56pm Fri 15 Jun 12
doasilikey says...
I think you should be aware that it was the reporter who used the term "Boy Racer". The statement from the police was exactly what one might expect- A statement of intent to ensure a safe time for all (involved in the planned event or not).
5:09pm Fri 15 Jun 12
PoorFleet says...
I hope the Police remember to focus on criminals and not those there to enjoy the evening legally.
The journalist that wrote this piece should know better than to use offensive and inflammatory terminology.
5:48pm Fri 15 Jun 12
xxxdave says...
5:57pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Terry2says says...
6:44pm Fri 15 Jun 12
A.N.Other says...
6:45pm Fri 15 Jun 12
LordSpiffSpaffingtonThe2nd says...
7:56pm Fri 15 Jun 12
belfairs says...
9:02pm Fri 15 Jun 12
rjsizzler says...
9:12pm Fri 15 Jun 12
c180essex says...
9:25pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Brunning999 says...
10:27pm Fri 15 Jun 12
APR says...
They could then make as much noise as they like without annoying anyone.
10:45pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Steve H says...
Why should the Police give you somewhere to go?
If as you say there is a big crowd of you then club together and hire an airfield, take a look at this site, http://www.vmax200.c
om/
11:56pm Fri 15 Jun 12
SaveOurStanford says...
3:57am Sat 16 Jun 12
pmc1969 says...
rely what someone does with a car THEY have purchased is THEIR business, so maybe you should get a life..oh look, I did it without pretend swearing..
4:06am Sat 16 Jun 12
pmc1969 says...
t worry Terry...nurse will be here soon...just hang on there buddy...
7:49am Sat 16 Jun 12
muffindamule says...
http://www.cruisingg
ays.com/thurrock/c/a
reas/
8:52am Sat 16 Jun 12
rjsizzler says...
@APR - The isssue isn't that they are annoying people because Lakeside is dead at that time of night. The Police don't want it because it has to be policed.
9:04am Sat 16 Jun 12
King El says...
;-)
9:33am Sat 16 Jun 12
saddo99 says...
9:51am Sat 16 Jun 12
muffindamule says...
It might be a good idea if the true enthusiasts were to draw up a code of conduct which takes into account the reservations other road users and local residents may have concerning such meets.
Such codes of conduct have proved highly effective in the sport of angling , for instance, where they have led to better treatment of fish, a cleaner bankside environment and a better acceptance of the sport generally .
10:33am Sat 16 Jun 12
APR says...
It used to be enough to put a set of Goodyear G800s and a pair of spotlights on your car.
With a Harry Moss radio :)
11:09am Sat 16 Jun 12
I-say-you-say says...
It is amusing to see the face on the police who pull me over for no reason when they see I'm female as they always assume I'm some wannabe "boy racer" and end up very disappointed.
But the whole point of this story is that the police are (rightly so) not warning people not to go but that if you're going to do donuts and race like an idiot then you will be dealt with appropriately - and rightly so! The Lakeside meet, normally involves several local groups getting together, parking up their cars and just having a chat - how this is a disturbance to anyone I don't know. Unfortunately it is simply a case of the minority ruining it for the rest of us. I personally wish the police all the best in clamping down on these fools as do the rest of us who abhore the idiotic behaviour displayed by some.
11:42am Sat 16 Jun 12
The Cater Wood Creeper says...
there'll be no room for the swingers and doggers otherwise....
12:21pm Sat 16 Jun 12
A Dermot says...
These gay lads only have themselves to blame for the Police persecuting them I supose they should keep their neferious activities behind closed doors instead of the middle of Lakeside.
12:35pm Sat 16 Jun 12
Gay Ray says...
1:39pm Sat 16 Jun 12
Minceir. says...
3:24pm Sat 16 Jun 12
gtiracer22 says...
3:55pm Sat 16 Jun 12
andy:) says...
Im find the police statement rather strange and slightly worrying in a big brother state kind of way.
There have been plenty of cop shows on Tv where the police turn up at events, chat to people and gain their trust, these days no-one every comes into contact with the police, they stay in their cars, in big stab proof vests and certainly do not look friendly and approachable.
Its worth remembering the police, police with our consent and they need our help to stop crime, alienating yound drivers is not a good way to go about this.
Andy
4:44pm Sat 16 Jun 12
King El says...
6:04pm Sat 16 Jun 12
grays_mum says...
To all of you saying "why shouldn't we" I'll throw this back at you - why SHOULD you? If you're that keen to meet and discuss the size of your woofers and tweeters, or tyres, or exhausts, why don't you form a club, buy your own land and meet there. Then there would be no need for the police, on MY tax dollar, keeping an eye on you. And the general public wouldn't feel intimidated popping to Tescos for a pint of milk.
I'd like Andy to explain to me exactly what part of Insp. Adams' he finds "strange" and/or "worrying". Is it the fact he is concerned about previous incidents where people have been injured? Or is where he says the police "will take all possible action against anyone driving dangerously"? Or maybe it's that the police will provide "a visible presence ensuring anybody in the area has a safe and legal evening". Yeah, Andy, that's really sinister...the police wanting people to act safely and within the law, what an absolute shocker.
12:05am Sun 17 Jun 12
SaveOurStanford says...
12:09am Sun 17 Jun 12
SaveOurStanford says...
8:09am Sun 17 Jun 12
bignosechaff says...
12:49pm Sun 17 Jun 12
All 9 of me says...
1:11pm Sun 17 Jun 12
I-say-you-say says...
If those comments along with the foul language and your misconception that you driving a merc makes you so much better than those of us who drive modified cars are your only arguament in this situation, clearly you have no idea what you're talking about and therefore I would suggest that you prevent further embarrassment to yourself by not commenting any further.
1:12pm Sun 17 Jun 12
I-say-you-say says...
If those comments along with the foul language and your misconception that you driving a merc makes you so much better than those of us who drive modified cars are your only arguament in this situation, clearly you have no idea what you're talking about and therefore I would kindly suggest that you prevent further embarrassment to yourself by not commenting any further.
1:18pm Sun 17 Jun 12
maddriver says...
I'm not sure that the police have the power to ban these kind of meets unless they can prove they are illegal.
Personally I have no particular interest in custom cars, but I do enjoy seeing them parading and appreciate the amount of work put in.
My personal limited experience is that cruisers are usually friendly and law abiding. After all who wants to spend a small fortune and then drive dangerously?
The biggest problem is the non-custom cars who want to do wheelies and handbrake turns etc., with a couple of go faster stripes and a noisy exhaust.
3:10pm Sun 17 Jun 12
APR says...
As then it wasn't all about having the loudest sound system, and a schoolgirl in the passenger seat.
3:38pm Sun 17 Jun 12
muffindamule says...
Shame they didn't offer similar advice a century ago. Could have saved a lot of lives.
4:48pm Sun 17 Jun 12
A.N.Other says...
I have nothing against these gay chaps in their efeminate clothes and modified cars meeting up but they should keep any sexual activity well and truly behind closed doors and not on open display in the middle of Lakeside.
5:04pm Sun 17 Jun 12
King El says...
5:05pm Sun 17 Jun 12
grays_mum says...
10:00pm Sun 17 Jun 12
SaveOurStanford says...
I am only talking from i witnessed when i popped into a KFC when a large gathering of what was 20ish year olds swearing and giving it large attitude with the bonnet n' boot open revving the engine with some sort of boom ? cant call it music just a Din 5 cars lined up a Focus, Clio, Fiesta, Saxo & Astra! All cars designed by engineers at top comapanies to handle in a paiticular way then along comes Billy with 2 years experiance of driving adding some modifactions and making the car look silly with stickers, loud exaust like its blowing, some 2nd hand wheels & barley legal tyres wanting to impress a girl. How do you actualy get insurance to drive in such a messy heap! You explain to me what the fasination is in ??
1:52pm Mon 18 Jun 12
I-say-you-say says...
I have 11 years driving experience, a clean license, my car is modified without any illegalities. The fascination with me has always been in the cars, even my Dad used to "modify" his vehicles when he was younger. Like I said previously, as you have made it clear yourself by asking what the fascination is, you clearly do not have any idea what you are talking about (again only basing it on your one admittedly bad experience) and there is no reason for you to use the language or defamatory comments you did.
4:18pm Mon 18 Jun 12
PoorFleet says...
Using minimal funds to re-engineer and adapt a vehicle far beyond it's original design parameters whilst ensuring safety is not compromised (MOT certification as a minimum standard) is a challenge and quintessentially what defines the English as an adaptive, industrious and progressive nation of engineers.
Furthermore, as car enthusiasts, we certainly pay our fair share in VAT and that is just from a fuel perspective, I think the policing is more than paid for. We have a legal right to freedom of association and public assembly.
I'd also like to add that the bigoted, ignorant prejudices of some commentators only goes to highlight their inability to engage in constructive debate.
The sexuality of a car enthusiast should neither define them as a human being or pigeon hole them. No doubt these same contributors will show their ugly ignorance again in response but that is the prerogative of a bitter keyboard warrior.
4:19pm Mon 18 Jun 12
andy:) says...
The police are just taking a large group of people (in this people with customised cars) and implying that they are ALL crimianls and any meetings should be banned, without disclosing a particular reason.
Now you may not like their music but listening to crap music isnt a crime yet.
As for them 'buying their own land' , are you serious ?. Plus they could well argue that public roads are just that, public, paid for by you and i out of general taxation.
Maybe you will now list all the so called previous incidents that have resulted in injuries ?
I am not against Police taking action against crimes or dangerous driving but they are somewhat jumping the gun a bit !
The police are not just going to provide a safe and legal eveing, the very first paragraph of the story is "crusisers, don't bother turning up" not "anyone thinking of commiting a crime, dont bother turning up", there is a big difference.
Andy
4:34pm Mon 18 Jun 12
Stevej1986 says...
7:01pm Mon 18 Jun 12
rocket1 says...
9:41pm Mon 18 Jun 12
muffindamule says...
12:37am Tue 19 Jun 12
BB8H22A5 says...
I have been into cars all my life. I have a modified weekend car, and a daily as well. I belong to several car clubs, predominantly Japanese but local ones too.
I am in my 30s, have a mortgage, a wife and a child. Last time I checked, England was about engineering. Do you know what modifying is all about? That's right - engineering and expressing one's ideas. Go to any custom work shop - there are many celebrated engineers out there who love to be creative - OK, some spoilers etc are hideous but we all did it until we hang out with the grown ups who steered us in the right direction. We learned to save, and built our cars properly.
Majority of modified car owners are a lot more safer, efficient and better maintained that that run of the mill rubbish that the EU is forcing down our throats. We park sensibly out of harms way and understand our cars.
Many of us are nerds/geeks but we all have other interests such as photography, cycling, family life etc.
Yes, there are a few idiots in 2 categories - those that just cannot be helped (Police can deal with them), and those that just need guidance from the older crowd.
These modified car owners do A LOT more for the local economy - McDonalds, Burger King, Tesco Late Night, Fuel and the local burger bars.
Let's not forget the local tuning shops, mechanics, body shops - and running second cars.
Let's educate and stop hating. You ignorant haters really **** me off and the Police are equally as stupid. Trying to intimidate us into speeding so they can pull us over for a cheeky ticket.
Please get to understand us, embrace us and we will in turn welcome you into our world.
Funny thing is some of the moaners are retired engineers, physicists etc that could even teach us a thing or two - but we will not listen to you with that attitude.
Now attack me all you like.
Peace!
7:18am Tue 19 Jun 12
A.N.Other says...
9:06am Tue 19 Jun 12
grays_mum says...
"The police are just taking a large group of people (in this people with customised cars) and implying that they are ALL crimianls and any meetings should be banned, without disclosing a particular reason."
Insp. Adams says that previous events have caused people to suffer injury, or loss of life. That looks like a pretty good reason to me.
You say "Now you may not like their music but listening to crap music isnt a crime yet." Maybe not, but why force ME to listen to it? I have the right to go about my business without being subjected to noise pollution.
You say: "As for them 'buying their own land' , are you serious ?. Plus they could well argue that public roads are just that, public, paid for by you and i out of general taxation."
Actually yes I am serious. Public roads are paid for out of taxation to be used by drivers to get from one point to another. I don't believe the intention is for the roads to be used as an exhibition space.
You say: "Maybe you will now list all the so called previous incidents that have resulted in injuries ?" It's not me who said it, it's Insp. Adams. Maybe you should ask him. I am prepared to take him at his word. Unless you have evidence to the contrary. Are you calling him a liar?
You say: "I am not against Police taking action against crimes or dangerous driving but they are somewhat jumping the gun a bit !" They are pre-empting a situation. I think it's admirable.
1:20pm Tue 19 Jun 12
Stevej1986 says...
1:34pm Tue 19 Jun 12
EthanEdwards says...
2:38pm Tue 19 Jun 12
PoorFleet says...
Should the land owner wish, they can eject the occupants but they don't ever seem to.
Freedom of assembly is a right, not a privelage.
8:54am Fri 6 Jul 12
Jimmy213 says...