ANTISOCIAL drivers could end up with a criminal record after a council placed a protection order on an entire town.

Speeding, racing, stunt driving and noise late into the evening have long been a problem in Burgess Hill, particularly in town centre car parks.

More than 140 complaints were received by police between November 2017 and June 2019.

At a meeting of the full Mid Sussex District Council on Wednesday night, it was agreed that a public space protection order

should be placed on all six of the town’s

wards as well as the car park at the burial ground.

Anthea Lea (Con, Lindfield) told the meeting that almost all of the 102 people who responded to a consultation agreed the order was needed.

She said: “It’s important we use the power that Parliament has given us to keep our communities safe.”

A report to the meeting said breaching the order was a criminal offence and could lead to a fine via a fixed penalty notice of up to £100.

Failure to pay could lead to prosecution, which could land drivers with a £1,000 fine or even a prison sentence.

Norman Webster, cabinet member for community, said the protection orders had proved effective elsewhere.