EARLIER this week, it was revealed that boy racers are set to be hit with fines after a third unofficial car meet in just two months along Southend seafront.

Last week, more than a hundred car enthusiasts descended on Southend seafront.

Despite there not being a ban on car meets itself, there is a PSPO in place to control the behaviours at event.

A car cruise public space protection order (PSPO) has been in place since April 2023.

It was brought in to ban a number of activities, which are as followed:

  • Excessive noise of any kind including but not limited to horns, music, or noise from vehicle modifications such as to cause, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or nuisance.
  • Conduct that causes or is likely to cause danger to road users and pedestrians.
  • Conduct that causes or is likely to cause damage or risk of damage to any property.
  • Driving at excessive speed.
  • Driving in convoy such as to cause or is likely to cause public nuisance.
  • Racing other motor vehicles.
  • Performing stunts in motor vehicles.
  • Dropping litter.
  • Shouting, swearing, abusing, or otherwise intimidating another person.
  • Parking and exiting motor vehicles whilst left in a non-designated parking space.
  • Inhalation of nitrous oxide.

Failure to comply with an order is a criminal offence and can result in prosecution which could lead upon conviction to a fine of up to £1,000 or a fixed penalty notice of £100.

Southend Council announced 41 £100 fines had been dished out to non-complying drivers who attended car meets on the seafront on February 24 and March 22.

This week, the council has confirmed that a further 30 breaches of the public space protection order have been identified over the weekend and could result in retrospective fines.