Crackdown on car cruising and street racing in Central Bedfordshire
Persistent car cruising and other vehicle-related anti-social behaviour in parts of Central Bedfordshire are to be targeted by the local authority.
With the backing of Bedfordshire Police, which is responsible for enforcement, Central Bedfordshire Council plans to impose a public space protection order (PSPO) to address the problems.
Police data shows Central Bedfordshire accounts for nearly half of all vehicle-related anti-social behaviour incidents in the county, with hotspots in Houghton Regis and Dunstable, according to a report to the council’s executive.
These issues locally are persistent, escalating and significantly impact the quality of life for local residents, warned the report.
“Behaviours include car meets, cruising, street racing and nuisance obstruction of highways. A PSPO is proposed to restrict those harmful behaviours across Central Bedfordshire.
“Bedfordshire Police has committed formally to enforcement under the terms of a memorandum of understanding.”
The county force published a problem profile called Car Meets and Car Cruising in Central Bedfordshire in October 2023, explained the report. “This profile revealed vehicle nuisance is persistent, unreasonable, and having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for Central Bedfordshire residents and businesses.
“An updated report has been requested to include data from 2024 and 2025, but findings show a persistent issue. The memorandum of understanding outlines the respective responsibilities.
“Bedfordshire Police will lead enforcement including incident response, evidence gathering, use of PSPO powers, and prosecution. CBC will support enforcement through CCTV deployment, issuing of fixed penalty notices, and support prosecutions.
“The order will cover the whole of Central Bedfordshire, and restrict certain activities and behaviours involving a vehicle. Non-compliance may result in a fixed penalty notice of £100 or a court summons.
“Restrictions considered include excessive engine revving and loud exhaust noise, rapid acceleration, harsh braking and drifting, street racing or convoy driving, and performing stunts, such as doughnuts or wheel spins.
“The PSPO would also cover the unnecessary sounding of horns, playing amplified music in or near or powered from a vehicle at an excessive volume, obstructing public highways or car parks, intimidating behaviour, as well as setting light to petrol or other flammable liquids, and depositing litter from a vehicle.”
A public consultation is needed before a PSPO can be implemented, added the report. “Breaching a PSPO without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence.
“A range of options to help councils and their partners tackle such problems were introduced under The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. A strong emphasis is placed on protecting victims and vulnerable individuals.
“PSPOs enable councils to restrict specific behaviours or require certain actions within a defined public area. Unlike other powers under the Act, PSPOs are council-led and apply to all individuals in the designated area, rather than targeting specific people or properties.
“Orders can last for up to three years and must be reviewed on expiry. If the anti-social behaviour has reduced or stopped, it’s appropriate to assess the likelihood of recurrence before deciding whether to extend the order.”
After a report to full council this September, CBC would expect to install signs later that month and begin enforcement from October 2026 onwards.