Police issue warning as unauthorised horse and trap racing planned in Essex towns

A massive dispersal order will be in place in two areas of Essex over the weekend, after police received intel about “planned, unauthorised horse and trap racing” in the areas. The order will come into full force from 6am on Saturday September 7, until 6am on Monday September 9, after concerns that this unauthorised event will lead to anti-social behaviour, and encourage people to be involved in this illegal sport.

The dispersal order will give officers powers to direct anyone suspected of causing anti-social behaviour to leave the area or face arrest, and will be active over the course of the weekend, across the Epping Forest and Brentwood districts of Essex.

The Section 60 will also give uniformed police the power to stop and search any pedestrian, anything carried by them, any vehicle, its driver and passengers, for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments.

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Inspector Jonathan Main said: “Racing on public road networks is an offence and will result in us taking enforcement action. We will not tolerate the use of our district’s roads for an illegal sporting event and we will deal with offences robustly. The dispersal order will allow us to protect our local communities from any anti-social behaviour.”

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