A move to give police more powers to tackle boy racers won the approval of the whole council last night.

The Medway-wide public spaces protection order (PSPO) aims to crack down on anti-social drivers.

This follows its approval at Cabinet last month where members heard how residents had experienced nuisance behaviours such as racing, stunts, revving engines, excessive noise, speeding, burnouts, and car cruising.

Cllr Tristan Osborne (Lab), portfolio holder for community safety and enforcement, said: “Crime remains one of the largest concerns among residents. This PSPO will challenge nuisance biking, e-scooters, boy racers, and other uninsured motorised vehicles.

"This is an issue that has been raised on doorstep after doorstep. We are immensely proud to table this tonight. It will challenge crime, it will reduce anti-social behaviour, and it will be our commitment to our residents to do everything we can to live in safe and secure communities.”

Cllr Adrian Gulvin (Con), Conservative group leader, said: “I’m very happy to support this cabinet decision, in fact, I’d find it very difficult not to support it.

“Nuisance vehicles affect the health and well-being and peace and quiet of all our residents across Medway.

“They treat some of our streets as racetracks, so this is a very important issue.”

The proposal was agreed by the whole council and the PSPO will come into effect in January.