Additional powers approved to combat street racing

Plans have been approved to help tackle street racing, car cruising and other anti-social vehicle-related activities.

The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), for the area covered by Central Bedfordshire, was agreed by the council's executive.

A public consultation identified concerns in Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Leighton Buzzard, Biggleswade, Flitwick, Ampthill, Sandy and Shefford, as well as many villages, and the A5 and A6.

If this and the budget are agreed, signage would be put in place in spring 2027 enabling Bedfordshire Police to enforce it from summer 2027.

Liz Childs, executive member for communities at the council, said: "Residents have been clear that vehicle-related anti-social behaviour is having a significant impact on communities across Central Bedfordshire, and the overwhelming support shown during the consultation demonstrates the need for action.

"This PSPO will provide an additional tool to help tackle behaviour that causes disruption and distress, helping to make our public spaces safer and more enjoyable for everyone."

Childs, who represents Barton-le-Clay, had previously called for speed cameras to be installed on the village's A6 bypass after police recorded one vehicle travelling at over 150mph (240km/h).

The PSPO would provide additional powers to also help tackle behaviours such as excessive engine revving and drifting that cause nuisance, alarm or distress to local communities, in partnership with Bedfordshire Police.

It follows safety concerns last year by business owners on an industrial estate in Flitwick about illegal car meets.

They said events in which cars were skidded in circles round a ring of fire had been taking place at Lyall Court for over three years.

Independent Flitwick councillor Gareth Mackey said: "How people haven't been killed or seriously injured is absolutely beyond me."

He also told the meeting about the "mayhem" and "misery" caused from numerous static car meets down Maulden Road, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He warned that if these incidents carried on there would be "some kind of vigilante action because people's confidence in this being enforced still isn't as high as it should be".

Residents are encouraged to continue reporting vehicle-related anti-social behaviour to Bedfordshire Police before the possible implementation of the PSPO.

This can be done either online through the Bedfordshire Police ASB Reporting Tool or by calling 101 for non-emergencies.

Once in force, the PSPO would apply across the whole of Central Bedfordshire for an initial period of three years.

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