Southend's police chief has promised no let-up in the continuing battle against seafront cruisers.

Chief Supt Mick Thwaites spoke out after hundreds of cruisers were stopped in their tracks from using two retail parks following a high visibility police operation in Basildon at the weekend.

The move comes after security measures were implemented at car parks in the Heron and Mayflower retail parks in Basildon in an effort to deter racers.

Between two and three hundred drivers attempted to get in the car parks on Saturday night - but found the police lying in wait.

Instead cruisers spilled onto nearby roads to perform their tricks before congregating at Lakeside, Thurrock.

Mr Thwaites said: "We have a much bigger problem on the seafront because we can't simply close off a public road because it's not private property.

"We are continuing to look at the problem and natural causes and the landslide, which meant part of the road was closed recently, undoubtedly helped us in restricting movement."

Published Monday, January 20, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo