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Dartford truck driver speaks out after verbal abuse from noisy boy racers in Crossways Boulevard, Greenhithe

A lorry driver wants to see brazen "boy racers" banished from the streets after a group is alleged to have verbally abused him and blocked his truck.

Robert, a haulier living and working in Dartford, says he was threatened by spectators at an unauthorised rally likened to the "opening of Brands Hatch" at Crossways Boulevard, Greenhithe.

A large car meet prevented truck drivers from accessing depots off Crossways Boulevard, Greenhithe
A large car meet prevented truck drivers from accessing depots off Crossways Boulevard, Greenhithe

The HGV driver, who did not wish to give his last name, said he had arrived back at his depot close to the junction with Costa Coffee last on Friday, October 14, when the altercation took place.

"I could not believe my eyes when I went around there," he said. "I went to go around the roundabout and there must have must have been 200 there easy, racing around there and down near the Burger King.

"I had to wait because they were going that fast that if I tried to cross I was in danger of hitting somebody."

When he asked the drivers to move, he says he was abused verbally and threatened, with one motorist telling him: "Just be careful you don't damage this or you will wish you hadn't done that".

For local residents it's an all too regular occurrence with frequent reports of noisy modified cars whizzing up and down the busy dual carriageway at dangerous speeds.

Late night car meets are a constant source of stress for residents living close to Crossways Boulevard, Greenhithe
Late night car meets are a constant source of stress for residents living close to Crossways Boulevard, Greenhithe

Robert didn't report the latest altercation to police as he says it's "water off a duck's back" and no action is ever taken.

But the truck driver fears the driving is getting worse and is fast becoming a "spectator sport" with large crowds gathering each weekend along the Boulevard to watch the spectacle.

"They were sitting in the middle of the roundabout in garden chairs drinking beer and eating crisps," he added.

"It was like being at the opening day of Brands Hatch. It was unbelievable the amount of people that were there."

There were security guards present but it was not until police patrols arrived some 45 minutes later that the drivers dispersed.

"I have never seen so many people scatter so fast," he added. "Within two minutes it was like a graveyard."

Last Friday's disturbance comes just a week after videos emerged of drivers performing doughnuts and speeding around the Burger King roundabout.

The footage was captured by Kent County Councillor for Swanscombe and Greenhithe Cllr Peter Harman, who frequently receives calls from sleepless residents complaining of reckless racing there.

Cllr Harman, who narrowly avoided a collision while investigating a recent race-meet, says the issue is "getting worse all the time now".

Following the latest disturbance, he said: "The events last Friday [October 14] were by far the worst and most chaotic yet.

"There were also three motorcycles involved this time, one of them doing wheelies at 60 mph right down the dual carriageway next to spectators."

Dartford council has also stepped in to offer its assistance by way of cameras to help identify and prosecute "boy racers".

It has already authorised a public spaces protection order (PSPO) to help clamp down on anti-social meets.

The PSPO bans car cruising, wheel spins, racing and performing stunts, along with the recording of these types of activities but the council says only effective prosecutions and sanctions will stop the nuisance.

Peter Harman says the 'boy racers' are still a problem at Crossways Boulevard. Picture: Barry Goodwin.
Peter Harman says the 'boy racers' are still a problem at Crossways Boulevard. Picture: Barry Goodwin.

Speaking earlier this week, Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite said: "This persistent anti-social behaviour cannot go on. It is wrecking the lives of local people.

"This might primarily be an issue for the police but we need to work together to support them and use all the means at our disposal.

"The key to this is to identify vehicles and driving behaviour with sufficient accuracy to support a prosecution.

The Tory councillor added: "As well as immediate sanctions, that opens the door to flagging the behaviour of policy holders to their motor insurers and others who may have no clue the vehicles are being driven anti-socially.

"We have done our bit by establishing a PSPO, but local people are desperate to see prosecutions and an end to this problem."

Police confirmed patrols attended Crossways Boulevard at around 10pm on Friday, October 14 and requested those nuisance vehicles in attendance to leave.

Officers also took details of those present to gather intelligence to prevent further incidents.

"This persistent antisocial behaviour cannot go on. It is wrecking the lives of local people."

Kent Police community safety unit inspector Trevor Jenner said: "Officers are aware of residents’ concerns regarding anti-social behaviour in the area and Kent Police continues to work with local businesses and stakeholders, including Dartford council, to ensure those who commit offences are held accountable.

"A PSPO is in place and should any offences be witnessed by either police officers or council officers then robust action will be taken.

"Anti-social behaviour is often caused by a minority but we understand the impact it can have on a community.

"Officers will continue to regularly patrol the area in order to provide a visible policing response and will respond accordingly."

For more than five years neighbours have been plagued by dangerous street racing with some meets attracting hundreds of vehicles, often coming over the Dartford Crossing from Essex.

The trye marks in Bluewater car park were left following a meet
The trye marks in Bluewater car park were left following a meet

Previously the Screwfix car park site was used as "a skidding range".

However last month, motorists were also seen performing stunts down the road at a car park outside Bluewater shopping centre where a series of tyre marks were left behind.

Cllr Harman, who represents the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents Association (SGRA), says the council's latest intervention is welcome and "very positive".

However, he hopes further steps can be taken to “encourage” the police and others to use their best efforts to deal with any anti-social behaviour.

Residents have also voiced their interest in the introduction of so-called noise cameras which detect road users revving their engines unnecessarily and are being trialled in other parts of the country.

The SGRA has recently set up a Whatsapp support group, aimed at helping residents take action to solve the problem.

Residents concerned about the dangerous driving and noise are encouraged to join the group by contacting Cllr Harman on 07956 347 419, giving their name and mobile phone number.

Have you seen or heard any nuisance driving in the Greenhithe area? Let us know at dartford@thekmgroup.co.uk

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