A crackdown has been launched following a spate of anti-social incidents at a Halstead hot spot.

Residents have reported youths racing motorbikes, smashing bottles, intimidating passers-by and even spitting at residents as they hang around in Butler Road car park.

A Braintree Council spokesman said: “Officers will be visiting during the day and out of hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

“Council officers willwork with the police to investigate reports of anti-social behaviour, and if any incidents that require police involvement are witnessed by council officers during their visits these will be reported directly to the police.”