Essex police plan a massive crack down on speeding and 'road racing' gatherings across the county.
Officers from the Essex Police Casualty Reduction Section will be on the lookout for rogue drivers who race and perform stunts at events attracting hundreds of car enthusiasts.
Sergeant Simon Willsher who is leading Operation Wagtail, said: "Local residents and the genuine enthusiasts at the cruiser events are sick and tired of the way the racers take over, cause noise nuisance and put lives in danger.
"They don't seem to realise that they can get an automatic ban if they go to court for road racing or careless driving.
"But we will certainly be using all available legislation which allows us to summons offenders to court or have their cars seized.
"We obviously won't disclose our tactics, however anyone considering flouting traffic laws and selfishly putting others at risk should be aware that many of our cars are video-equipped and we won't hesitate to put them before the courts."
Weekend patrols will be increased around Lakeside, Basildon and Canvey - all areas where cruisers have congregated in the past few years.
Plans are also in place to attend an event planned near Braintree and an meeting at Lakeside on May 4.
But the team of officers will respond to other locations in the county whenever 'cruiser' events are reported.
"We have no problems with the hundreds of enthusiasts who enjoy getting together at cruiser events to show off their pride and joy motors and talk about their passion for cars," added Sergeant Willsher.
"Our concern is about the reckless minority who race on roads that are not built for racing and are travelling at high speed with spectators only a few inches away from them.
"It is only a matter of time before one of these cars goes out of control and causes fatalities or serious injuries."
Officers from the Essex Police Casualty Reduction Section will be on the lookout for rogue drivers who race and perform stunts at events attracting hundreds of car enthusiasts.
Sergeant Simon Willsher who is leading Operation Wagtail, said: "Local residents and the genuine enthusiasts at the cruiser events are sick and tired of the way the racers take over, cause noise nuisance and put lives in danger.
"They don't seem to realise that they can get an automatic ban if they go to court for road racing or careless driving.
"But we will certainly be using all available legislation which allows us to summons offenders to court or have their cars seized.
"We obviously won't disclose our tactics, however anyone considering flouting traffic laws and selfishly putting others at risk should be aware that many of our cars are video-equipped and we won't hesitate to put them before the courts."
Weekend patrols will be increased around Lakeside, Basildon and Canvey - all areas where cruisers have congregated in the past few years.
Plans are also in place to attend an event planned near Braintree and an meeting at Lakeside on May 4.
But the team of officers will respond to other locations in the county whenever 'cruiser' events are reported.
"We have no problems with the hundreds of enthusiasts who enjoy getting together at cruiser events to show off their pride and joy motors and talk about their passion for cars," added Sergeant Willsher.
"Our concern is about the reckless minority who race on roads that are not built for racing and are travelling at high speed with spectators only a few inches away from them.
"It is only a matter of time before one of these cars goes out of control and causes fatalities or serious injuries."
