ESSEX Police have tonight authorised a dispersal order in Basildon over fears of a "large" unauthorised car meet. 

In a statement, police say the order has been put in place to manage the car meet at Festival Leisure Park, which has relocated to the area as a result of dispersal orders active in both Canvey and Chelmsford this weekend.

Police stress it does not prevent families visiting the leisure park.

A similar dispersal zone is in place on Canvey and in Chelmsford. 

The order has been uthorised from 6.20pm this evening, Saturday 31 July, until 12am on Monday 2 August and will cover the area mapped below.

Echo: A map of the dispersal zone in BasildonA map of the dispersal zone in Basildon

This includes Festival Leisure Park, Pipps Hill and Mayflower Retail Park.

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A dispersal order does not prevent residents or visitors being in the area, but allows officers to disperse anyone behaving antisocially and keep members of the public visiting the area safe.

Police say breaching any direction given under the order is a criminal offence and, if you do, you could be arrested.

Those who drive anti-socially or dangerously also risk having their vehicle seized under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act.