Any motorist found causing a nuisance in Medway now faces being fined £100 and taken to court.
We are working with Kent Police to enforce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) across Medway, in all areas and 24/7, which went live on 1 April 2024.
We held a public consultation between February and May last year (2023) to ask the public for their views on a PSPO and the vast majority of residents were in support of implementing a PSPO across the whole of Medway.
This followed regular reports from residents affected by nuisance vehicles across Medway, such as motorcycles, motorbikes and quad bikes being ridden anti-socially, car meets and cruising as well as motorists playing loud music. Reports have particularly focussed in Barnfield, Cozenton, the Hoo peninsula, Hoath Way, Lordswood, Pottery Road recreation ground and Knights Place play area.
The restrictions of the PSPO include, but are not limited to:
• driving in convoy
• racing
• performing stunts
• sounding horns (to cause a public nuisance)
• revving engines
• wheel spins
• playing music (to cause a public nuisance)
• creating significant public nuisance
• engaging in car cruising.
Our community safety officers and the police will be carrying out joint patrols at all times of the day as a deterrent in areas known to have ongoing issues with nuisance vehicles. Anyone found ignoring the PSPO will be fined.
Rapid deployment cameras are in place across a number of locations to act as a deterrent and also to provide evidence to take action against offenders. Special constables, along with our Front Line Services team members, have been trained to issue the fix penalty notices if they see a breach.
'Stern warning to chancers'
Launching the news, Cllr Tris Osborne, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering enforcement, said: “This is a stern warning to chancers and anyone involved in car racing or meet activities, anti-social biking and quad-biking or nuisance off-road vehicles that this type of behaviour is not tolerated in Medway. We will be patrolling all areas across Medway and anyone found causing a nuisance will be fined or even face criminal action.
“The noise caused by nuisance motorists or bikers can be unbearable for residents, let alone the dangers nuisance riding presents to other road or green space users. I’d like to thank the public for their support with the implementation of these restrictions and urge people to come forward with evidence to help us crack down on this appalling behaviour. Together, this action will help reduce, and hopefully stamp out, this type of behaviour in Medway.”
'You have been warned'
Inspector Mick Hayes, of Medway’s Community Safety Unit, said: “We do not underestimate the impact the anti-social use of vehicles can have on residents’ quality of life. There is often a risk to the safety of other road users and my officers will be working closely with the council team to target those who persistently cause a nuisance. Those committing offences will be reported for any offences disclosed and risk having their vehicles seized. You have been warned.”
Report nuisance vehicles – if you have photographs or video evidence and are prepared to be a witness in court, where necessary, please report by emailing: cst@medway.gov.uk
For more information about PSPOs, visit: Medway.gov.uk/PSPO