
Smoke and thunder in Lonsdale Street, Braddon on Friday night. Photo: Snapchat.
Police have warned those behind the burnouts in parts of Canberra and across the border at Eaglehawk on the weekend that they can expect a fast and furious response if they repeat their dangerous behaviour.
Detective Inspector Adrian Craft said police were monitoring social media and would be well prepared for any fresh attempt to take over Canberra streets again.
”People can expect the police to respond accordingly, as firmly and as quickly as we can,” he said.
He admitted Friday night’s gatherings in Braddon, Fyshwick and Hume had surprised police but said they would not be caught off guard again.
READ MORE: Burnouts close Lonsdale St as police grapple with unregulated cruising, antisocial behaviour
With Summernats cancelled due to COVID-19, police had not planned for the potential incidents usually associated with the annual car festival and were overwhelmed on Friday night when a bottle was thrown into the rear windscreen of a retreating police vehicle.
At Hume, in what Detective Inspector Craft called an act of ”breathtaking stupidity”, a firecracker was let off at a service station.
But on Saturday night, police, armed with information from social media, marshalled their forces quickly to disperse similar unofficial cruises and burn-outs in the city, and again in Fyshwick where an estimated 1,000 people had gathered and police seized two vehicles.
No arrests have been made, but police were combing through CCTV and social media videos to identify ACT offenders who could face charges, big fines and have their vehicles seized.
Detective Inspector Craft said the burnout hoons should not be confused with those who organised the successful ‘Claytons Cruise’ last week.
”There is a dedicated group of people I would call genuine car enthusiasts in the ACT who are very proud of their vehicles and want to show them off to the public,” Detective Inspector Craft said.
”Then there is a collection of people whose expectations of their driving abilities exceed what they can actually do, and think they live in an episode of The Fast and The Furious, and think it’s OK to take over city streets and perform dangerous road manoeuvres.
”It’s a cohort of people who coordinate through social media in deliberate attempts to take over public streets.”
Detective Inspector Craft said people could have been easily injured or killed, and the actions of a not insignificant group of people were affecting the good intentions of others.
”Vehicles doing burnouts were surrounded by people within touching distance, and all that has to happen is that a vehicle gains traction for a millisecond and all of sudden you’re going to have five or six people run over, with serious injuries and possible deaths,” he said.
Detective Inspector Craft said the lack of a Summernats this year or a regulated motorsport facility were no excuses for dangerous behaviour.
He rejected calls for tougher laws, saying people simply need to follow the existing law, grow up, and apply common sense.
READ ALSO: Government needs to recharge e-scooter rules as careless behaviour drains community goodwill
Vice President of the Council of ACT Motor Clubs Mark Saunders has characterised the trouble makers as “people on the periphery” who were unlikely to be members of local car clubs.
“Most people in the car community have recognised that Summernats couldn’t proceed and we’ve been focused on supporting other events where possible. The ACT Street Machine Association is active every month and we run a few small events like my hot rod club runs and the rod and custom cruise on Australia Day,” he said.
“Most people are very sensible and just want to enjoy time with their friends in the community.”
it is about time there has been street racing around
Rian Burnell you missed Canberra’s party mate 👌
Bryn Callahan Yeh I heard it was a good one lol
Very appalling behavior wat do u think Jamie Roe Yaboat
Brendan Sattler very risky behaviour I must say indeed
Jamie Roe Yaboat couldn’t happen to a nicer bloke if you ask me, I am sure the driver had full control at all times
“if they continue risky behaviour”
... what happens if next time someone gets killed ...
... probably should have penalised them now to prevent that?
Are these the same Cops who claim to know the names of all the performance car thieves around Canberra, yet can't catch them - despite being told, hourly, where they are tearing up around Canberra?
I'll believe it when i see it.
Geoff Killen feel free to show police how it’s done
Its clearly a resourcing issue - but if they are being provided video evidence of people ripping skids with their numberplates and driver faces in clear view - then only issuing a warning - the situation is a bit dire.
It’s not worth taking these risks. Needed to be patient for next year’s Summernats.
Fast and furious response 😬
Peta Piltz should have included dunlop on the news article 🤣
Jenny Gleeson, i wonder if ur wonderful neighbours were at this