Tilbury illegal car meet dramatic photos released by police

Essex Police released the photos of more than 60 cars parked around tyre marks at a car park caused by drivers doing doughnuts.

The aftermath of the anti-social driving gathering showed the marks left on the surface of the car park having damaged it.

Police said this car meet in Tilbury passed peacefully after a dispersal order was issued for May 4 to 6 and drivers left quietly - but hundreds of cars were originally expected.

Car meet aftermath - tyre marks on car park surface (Image: Essex Police)

Head of Essex’s roads policing unit, Mr Adam Pipe, explained: “Drivers at these events often engage in anti-social and dangerous driving practices such as drifting, where the driver is not properly in control of their car. 

“This is not a question of spoiling anyone’s fun, this is a very serious matter with potentially very serious consequences to spectators and drivers alike should there be a collision. 

“These events won’t be tolerated and when we are made aware of an unauthorised event, we will take robust action and use all our resources to prevent and disrupt them from taking place.” 

Unauthorised car meets, or car cruises, are where drivers meet on the public highway or large public car parks to race or show their vehicles to others.

 “We have nothing against genuine car enthusiasts who respect residents when enjoying their shared passion for their cars.

“However, we will never accept people treating our roads like racetracks,” added roads policing inspector Tim Swain, who leads Essex Police's response to car meets.

“Last year, we mounted prosecutions against three drivers, all young men, who took part in car meets in Essex. 

“They all gave false details when we issued notices of intended prosecutions, but we persevered and gathered all the evidence of their reckless driving that we needed to bring them to justice. 

“All three narrowly missed being jailed at court, but because their sentences were suspended, if they take part in similar activities, they could be imprisoned immediately.”