A new order will allow Colchester Borough Council to clamp down on boy racers at a town retail park.

The authority has introduced a Public Space Protection order covering the Turner Rise retail park, off Petrolea Close.

It allows accredited council officers, or the police, to issue fines of up to £100 or take people or groups to court for anti-social behaviour – in this case excessive noise.

Colchester Borough Council (CBC) brought in the measure after complaint from nearby residents, local councillors and the landowner about late-night car meets at the site.

Problems included loud car steroes, wheel spinning, revving of engines, all causing highly intrusive noise for surrounding homes, as well as littering.

Large organised groups had used the land without permission, with more than 500 vehicles meeting on some occasions.

The order came into force on Tuesday.

Introducing it has been possible following new national legislation governing anti-social behaviour which came into force on October 20.

Consultation in the local area showed strong support for bringing in such an order to tackle the problem.

Tina Bourne, councillor for housing and public protection at CBC, said: “The council has taken these measures to give us powers of enforcement on private land.

“Local residents have endured the effects of evening car engine and amplified music noises and I am glad that, together with our Essex Police partners, we have signalled our intended response to such anti-social behaviour in our borough.”