BOY racers could have their cars seized and crushed if they continue to tear around Rayleigh town centre.

Police have upped patrols in the area, particularly focusing on Websters Way and Eastwood Road car parks.

Orders have been given out to those causing “alarm, distress or annoyance”, warning them if they are caught again their cars will be crushed.

It comes following reports of irresponsible drivers doing handrake turns, also known as doughnuts, and skidding across car parks.

Kim Gandy, who lives nearby in Eastwood Road, said it had become a real “nightmare” at weekends.

She said: “They will kill someone someday because they are racing up and down, up and down.

“On Friday and Saturday nights you can hear them screetching up and down the main road revving their engines and shouting.

“Sometimes you can see they are in convoy, all tail-gating each other and thinking it’s clever and then they go around the carpark.”

But Miss Gandy is hopeful the orders, known as section 59 warnings, will work as they threaten the very cars they so dearly love.

Police patrolling in the area have also been noting number plates as part of an intelligence gathering operation.

And they have been checking CCTV cameras for evidence.

A spokesperson for Rayleigh neighbourhood policing team, said: “High visibility policing and engagement with the drivers has seen some success. “Several drivers have been issued Section 59 Police Reform Act warnings for driving in an anti social manner. “