News Item - News - Surrey Police

New powers to target ‘cruisers’ on Mad Mile

Submitted: 20/04/2006 16:20:21

New powers are being introduced to deal with so called ‘cruisers’ whose dangerous and illegal racing on a stretch of the A217 in Banstead has made life a misery for local residents.

The new powers are being introduced in partnership between Surrey Police and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council to allow police officers to disperse the large number of spectators who turn out to watch cars driving and racing at speed along a stretch of road which has become known locally as the ‘Mad Mile’.

Up to one hundred spectators have been known to gather along the grass verges on the one mile stretch of road, often spilling onto the road itself, to watch and encourage the events which usually take place late at night and during the early hours of the morning. The spectators have also been known to block off roads to facilitate the races and have also assisted in the races by acting as time keepers.

During 2005 there were 128 reported incidents connected with dangerous driving, racing and spectator activity in this area of the A217.

The powers under Section 30 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 are being introduced in time for the summer when traditionally there has been an increase in this kind of activity. They will be in place from Monday 17 April and will allow officers to disperse groups of two or more who are causing “harassment, alarm or distress” to local residents within a designated area. If members of the group fail to disperse or return to the area within 24 hours, they can be arrested.

The idea to introduce the dispersal order was conceived by Reigate and Banstead Casualty Reduction Officer PC Eric Thomas. It is believed that this is the first time that these powers have been used anywhere in the country to deal with this kind of problem.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Neighbourhood Specialist Sergeant Fiona Dunn said:

“I am delighted by the innovative and resourceful way in which these powers are being used to help tackle a problem which has been a very real nuisance to local residents. They are rightly tired of these reckless drivers and spectators whose activities are a danger to the safety of themselves and their families and which have frequently kept them awake until the early hours of the morning.

“In response to their concerns we have been spending a great deal of time patrolling in the area to generally disrupt the cruises and prosecute any dangerous drivers. We have also carried out two very high profile operations with the Metropolitan Police in recent years which involved around one hundred police officers from both forces. We have seized vehicles and served warning notices but despite all of these efforts we have failed to dissuade people from participating in the cruises.

“Hopefully these new powers will give us the different angle we need to finally put a stop to those individuals who are prepared to put themselves and other road users at risk of serious injury or even death just to show off to their friends. I am confident that these new powers to target the spectators used alongside our existing powers to seize the vehicles of nuisance drivers will have a significant impact and help to ensure local residents have a more peaceful summer than in previous years.

“Cruisers and spectators alike should be warned that we are not prepared to tolerate these events. We are tackling anti-social behaviour on our roads and we will continue to target this area with highly visible enforcement activity.”

The powers under Section 30 apply when a police constable in uniform has reasonable grounds for believing that members of the public have been or may be intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed as a result of the presence or behaviour of groups of two or more persons in a specified locality and that anti-social behaviour is a significant and persistent problem in that locality.

The designated areas where the powers can be used are as follows:

• The A217 Brighton Road, Banstead from the junction with Garratts Lane to the junction (roundabout) with the A217 Belmont Rise and B2230 Brighton Road

• Fir Tree Road, Banstead to the junction with the A240 Reigate Road

• Winkworth Road, Banstead to the junction (roundabout) with Sutton Lane

• And the areas of 100 metres either side of each of the above roads to include side roads, bridleways, footpaths, verges and meridians.

The order will be in effect for six months until 17 October 2006. If the problems persist an application can be made to renew the order.

The authorisation to introduce the legislation was given by East Surrey Chief Superintendent Guy Darby and Graham Cook, Director of Services to the Community for Reigate and Banstead Borough Council.