Residents to have say on anti-social driving

Police and council officers recently patrolled the George Yard car park in Braintree

A public consultation has been launched to tackle street racing and car cruising.

People in Braintree have been asked to have their say before the local council introduces a public spaces protection order (PSPO), in an effort to crack down on what it describes as "vehicular nuisances".

The PSPO will give police and council officers extra powers to hand out fixed penalty notices for offences.

Braintree District Council's consultation will be open for the next 28 days.

Essex Police has issued several dispersal orders in Braintree in the last year in an effort to break up car cruising events, including in February.

Residents will be able to share any experiences they have had of vehicular nuisance as part of the consultation.

The PSPO would target issues including vehicles being raced, being driven at "sudden or rapid acceleration", amplified music and "performing stunts", the council said.

If approved, it will be in place for three years.

People caught breaching the PSPO could be handed a financial penalty.

Mary Cunningham, the Conservative cabinet member for stronger communities, said the PSPO would give officers the "powers to try and tackle this ongoing issue and reduce the disturbance to homes and businesses affected".