Police are preparing to patrol a car enthusiasts cruise event being held on Southend seafront on Saturday night.
The event titled ‘The Official Southend Cruise 2021’ is being advertised as starting at 8pm on Western Esplanade.
Police say they will be patrolling across Southend to ensure people using the roads and visiting the area are doing so safely and do not cause any disturbance to local residents.
‘SleeperCrewUK’ who are organising the car meet are warning people attending to be sensible and not take part in dangerous driving. The organisers said: “Please make sure things are kept static otherwise the authorities will close the road!
“Keep noise as low as possible, drive carefully, no burnouts and park in allocated spaces.
“The best route to the seafront will be to take Chalkwell Avenue from the A13 and follow it into The Leas. Traffic will be heavy!”
Essex Roads Policing Sergeant, Will Wilsher, said: “We know that most attendees to car meets or cruises are like-minded enthusiasts who wish to share their passion with others in the car community.
“If you do so safely, drive responsibly and park up in designated areas, we will have no issue with you.
“There are, however, a small number of thoughtless people who attend these events and place other road users and pedestrians in danger. They also think it’s perfectly acceptable to disrupt the lives of our local businesses and residents.
“Anyone caught driving dangerously, whether that’s through speeding, racing or performing wheel spins close to bystanders, your car will be seized and you may be arrested.
“If your car has been illegally modified, it will also be reported to your insurance. We will also prosecute any that constitute an offence, including not displaying your number plate correctly.
“If you attend an event or are a local resident and witness this type of behaviour, please report it to us. Don’t let these individuals give the law-abiding majority a bad name.”