Council secures injunction against unsanctioned car cruise events

September 28, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Council secures injunction against unsanctioned car cruise events

Thursday 29th September 2016

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has secured a further injunction against unauthorised car cruise events and ‘unsanctioned meets’ that put lives at risk and give no thought to safety.

The injunction obtained from the High Court forbids any car-cruise events from happening anywhere in the Borough until 28th September 2017, and follows an injunction being obtained from the High Court in September 2015 for one year.

The injunction was sought after it emerged a ‘Southend Takeover’ event is planned for Sunday 2nd October from 7.30pm. This has been organised without any communication with the Council or its emergency service partners about how to ensure the event is run safely. It is being advertised on social media and states that over 700 people will be attending with over 2,000 people invited.

Cllr Mark Flewitt, Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning & Public Protection Services, said: “Despite stating clearly last year that the Council was happy to welcome organised car meets in Southend-on-Sea, it is disappointing that the organisers of this event have chosen to ignore this, bypass the official channels and organise an unauthorised event and leave us with no choice but to seek a further injunction.

“They have had over a year to talk to us and work with us to draw up plans to ensure a well-managed and safe event but have chosen not to do that.

“These events, organised via social media, bypass the established procedure for holding public events, which involves event plans being drawn up and reviewed by the local authority, emergency services and other partner agencies. This process ensures events are safely managed, appropriately resourced and considers how noise, litter and other potential nuisances can be managed.

“I’m very pleased that we have successfully obtained this order, and I would ask anyone planning to attend Sunday’s event to please stay away. I’m also asking the public to be vigilant and report any incidents to the police if you see them occurring.

“Finally, I would also urge organisers to please come and talk to us about holding properly organised and managed events. They can find further guidance from our events team by calling 01702 215011 or by visiting the www.southend.gov.uk”