THIS IS how to report nusiance boy racers in Essex.

There are various different kinds of vehicle nuisance, and they can have along-term effect on a neighbourhood.

Below are some common types of vehicle issues in south Essex - and how residents can report them.

Street racing

Street racing is the illegal racing of any kind of vehicle on a public road.

Street racing is extremely dangerous as it can involve high speeds, weaving through traffic and ignoring traffic signals like red lights. This obviously puts other road users and members of the public in an extremely dangerous position.

The only time street racing is permitted is when the organiser has obtained prior permission from the police as part of an organised event.

Street cruising

Street cruising is when a group of vehicle owners form a convoy and drive up and down a street or around a neighbourhood – usually to show off their cars or bikes. They’ll often drive slowly and may even take up both sides of the road. This can hold up traffic behind and make things really difficult for other road users.

Riding unlicensed powered vehicles

It’s against the law in the UK to ride hoverboards, minibikes (or ‘mini motos’), motorised scooters such as GoPeds on both public roads and pavements. The same applies to ‘trail’ bikes, three-wheeled bikes and quads unless they are displaying valid number plates.

These kind of vehicles may only be used on private roads or land with the road or land-owner’s permission.

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Misusing vehicles off-road

While quad bikes, three-wheeled bikes, trail bikes and some other two-wheeled vehicles are built for off-road use, it is against the law to ride them in public parks or on publicly-owned land without permission from the local authority.

As with unlicensed powered vehicles, these can only be used on private roads or land with the road or land-owner’s permission.

Performing stunts and tricks

Performing stunts and tricks such as doughnuts and wheelies, whether on public roads or in car parks, can be dangerous to both the driver or rider and bystanders. It can also cause noise nuisance, especially if taking place at night in residential areas.

For this reason, this kind of behaviour is not permitted unless as part of an organised event with prior permission from an authority.

What you can do

If you know the people involved, or they seem approachable, our first advice would be to talk to them calmly or leave them a polite note. You might find it hard to believe, but they may not be aware they’re causing a problem.

However, don’t take the law into your own hands by intervening, such as turning off their music, making physical threats or attempting to confiscate items. You may make the situation worse and even risk committing an offence yourself.

If talking hasn’t worked, or you would prefer not to talk to them, there are two ways you can contact police:

Report anti-social behaviour by clicking here.

Report road traffic incidents by clicking here.