A crackdown on boy racers speeding around a Newcastle business park is in the works.
City leaders are poised to impose new restrictions aimed at combatig anti-social behaviour at the Newburn Riverside industrial estate. Council bosses have confirmed plans for a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) targeted at drag racing and nuisance motorbikes plaguing the business park, in the West End of the city.
The legal order will make it an offence to race vehicles, rev engines, play loud music, or engage in similar behaviours that Newcastle City Council says have become a “blight” on the Newburn community. Any offenders caught in breach of the PSPO, which is expected to come into force this spring, could face a £100 on-the-spot fine or be taken to court.
Northumbria Police confirmed it has recorded 112 vehicle-related incidents in the area from September 2023 to August 2024. The Newburn Riverside park is home to the North East Ambulance Service’s headquarters, among others.
Coun Irim Ali, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet member for communities, said: “Everyone has a right to live their lives free from anti-social behaviour. In response to complaints from residents, businesses and visitors to Newburn about drag racing and nuisance motorcyclists in the Newburn Riverside Industrial Estate area we are seeking to introduce a public space protection order to allow greater action to be taken against those responsible.
“It will be prohibited for you to – or encourage someone else to – drive at excessive speed; repeatedly, suddenly and rapidly accelerate; race other road users; perform stunts; beep your horn other than for safety reasons; play loud music or drop litter from a vehicle; rev your engine; or use threatening and abusive language. Breaching the order will be a criminal offence and could lead to on the spot £100 fixed penalty notices, or magistrates’ court convictions and fines of up to £1,000.
“This approach is backed by local people, who were consulted during August and September 2024, and we will work with Northumbria Police to target those whose behaviour is a blight on this community.”
Speaking at a meeting of the Safe Newcastle partnership this week, council public safety chief Ed Foster told city leaders that the authority would consider imposing other bespoke restrictions to deal with anti-social behaviour issues elsewhere in Newcastle. Gateshead Council also previously used a PSPO to crackdown on boy racer rallies near the Quayside, while Newcastle has imposed measures against street drinking, dog dirt, legal highs, aggressive begging and charity ‘chuggers’.
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