BOY racers across Essex have been put on notice - “you are not Max Verstappen and you will be caught”. 

Chief Constable of Essex Police Ben-Julian Harrington spoke out yesterday as he urged boy racers to put the brakes on illegal street racing before someone is killed. 

The senior officer admitted “the people of Essex love their cars”, however that love of cars has led to issues across Canvey, Basildon and Southend. 

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All three areas have specific public space protection orders in place in a bid to prevent boy racers meeting up in large groups, revving engines, and driving dangerously. 
However, they have still faced issues. 

Mr Harrington said: “Some people like sitting in car parks revving their engines and look, we might have to disagree on that,” said Mr Harrington.

“Doing donuts in a car park and racing around city streets is immensely dangerous.

“I don’t think there is a Max Verstappen here. The last time I saw him, he was on the Formula 1 track.

“All it takes is a child to walk into a road or a person to come out of a pub after a drink and it becomes a tragedy.”

Basildon is considering extending its public space protection order, while orders in Southend and Canvey have only had limited success to prevent car meetings. 

Speaking to the Echo’s sister title, the Gazette, Mr Harrington added: “The people of Essex love their cars and that’s a fact.

“So we try to work with the car enthusiasts to make sure they enjoy them sensibly.

“There are a number of people who are criminal within that group, but it is not the group as a whole.”

Ray Howard MBE, a former Castle Point and Essex County councillor, said: “I think Ben-Julian is spot on. Quite frankly, living where I do, I hear the cars all the time and I think to myself they may be enjoying it, but the risk is so high.

“Not only to themselves but others as well. Someone will be killed if they continue.

“The other aspect to it is that the noise is so unpleasant. People are just fed up of it.

“We were hoping with the order it was going to improve, but lots of residents are still seeing and hearing this which is really sad.

“And with the internet today, one minute they could be in Chelmsford, or Southend, then the next Canvey.”