AssetID: 55975814
Headline: Footage shows ‘bragging boy racers’ drifting and driving dangerously near homes
Caption: Nuisance boy racers taking over the streets in a part of Kent have been slammed. Residents living in Bob Dunn Way, Dartford, have had to put up with “significant noise and disruption” as groups flock to the Bridge Estate with their cars. The issue has been going on for more than a year, leaving people frustrated, annoyed and running out of hope it will be fixed. One female resident, who didn’t want to be named through fear of intimidation from the group, said the racers have appeared every weekend this summer, and that an innocent member of the public could be seriously injured or killed. She said: “All summer there has been high-speed racing and drifting around the main entrance to the estate, meaning residents are trapped and can't come and go safely. “These boy racers have no consideration for residents. The noise sounds like Brands Hatch. “We’ve had to keep our windows closed during a heatwave summer to try and escape the noise. “We don't object to them having fun, but they are all over social media bragging about their cars and how much money they have so do the decent thing and go to Brands Hatch for a race day. “Don't put local residents' lives at risk racing in a public place where residents can't avoid it.” The concerned woman said the issue is “beyond noise”, before adding: “Someone is going to be killed or seriously injured – most likely a resident innocently caught up in it just trying to return home at the weekend. “One resident on the estate had a near miss with her kids in the car recently.” She added that the events aren’t a one-off event, but are “highly organised and brazenly promoted” on social media, with spectators’ cars restricting the exit off the estate. “They [spectators] gather by the roundabouts, along the verge of Bob Dunn Way and across the bridges, shouting, cheering, adding to the anti-social behaviour.” It has been claimed that one resident was flashed by one spectator, while another had her van “rocked” as she tried to leave the estate. Residents, councillors and the MP are now calling for AI ANPR cameras to be installed to try and sort the problem. Dartford MP Jim Dickson criticised the racers, saying: “Our roads are not race tracks.” “We are seeing drivers speeding, drifting, gapping and racing on public roads before posting the footage online for clicks, likes and attention. “These gatherings are happening regularly, causing significant noise and disruption while creating a serious risk to other road users.” The Labour politician says he has raised the issue with Kent Police and Kent County Council and asked for additional safety measures – such as speed cameras – to be included. He added: “Following the recent escalation and the growing number of videos appearing online, I am calling on Kent Police for stronger action and asking what further preventative measures can be taken. “I have raised it with the Home Secretary and Policing Minister, who are supportive of a focused and targeted approach around key hotspots.” The 62-year-old has also urged TikTok to play its part and remove content that glorifies dangerous driving and fuels copycat behaviour. “This issue requires action from everyone involved,” he told KentOnline. “The police must have the tools they need to tackle offenders, councils must keep an open mind about further road safety measures, and social media companies cannot turn a blind eye while dangerous driving is filmed, glorified and shared online. We need action now, before somebody is seriously injured or worse.” In 2023, Dartford council installed an AI-enhanced camera at Crossways Boulevard in Greenhithe, near Dartford, in an attempt to stop similar anti-social behaviour. It was known as a hotspot for dangerous driving and street racing. The local authority agreed in May that year to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) across the whole borough, which made driving in convoys, excessively revving or honking of horns, wheel spins, street racing, and other uses of cars as a nuisance punishable by fines of up to £1,000. Chief Inspector Sarah Rivett said: “Officers from Dartford’s Community Safety Unit have spoken to residents and local stakeholders about their ongoing concerns around the antisocial use of vehicles in Bob Dunn Way. “We are continuing to work closely with Dartford council to enforce a Public Spaces Protection Order and will not hesitate to ensure that anyone seen behaving or using a vehicle in such a manner will face the appropriate consequences. “Kent Police is committed to addressing local concerns in the area, and both motorists and the local community can expect to see officers in the area at key times and completing spontaneous road checks and other operations in the coming weeks. “Anyone seen committing an offence may receive a fine, and persistent offenders ultimately risk having their vehicle seized.”
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