An MP has called on the government to provide Kent Police with more money to tackle anti-social behaviour by nuisance drivers.

Rochester and Strood Conservative MP Kelly Tolhurst told the Commons that the force was struggling to combat and contain activities such as “boy racing” late at night.

The MP said that despite their best efforts the police were not always on top of tackling public disorder because of a lack of money.

It comes as Medway council prepares to take powers that will allow it to implement a range of measures to tackle anti-social behaviour across the entire authority.

The council’s cabinet will be presented with a report next week that sets out how police will have wide-ranging powers to crackdown on gatherings of nuisance drivers at any location in Medway.

Nuisance drivers will be judged on activities such as performing stunts, wheel spins, engine revving, racing and driving in convoy. Playing music and sounding horns would also come under nuisance.

Her intervention came in the Commons where she tackled the minister for policing over the need for better budgets.

She said: “Constituents and businesses are being impacted by illegal car racing.

“The Labour council is dragging its heels over implementing a Public Space Protection Order.

“Kent Police has been working hard but resources are limited. Will the minister look at funding because we are seeing increasing activity in this area?”

In his reply, the minister said budgets had been improved and forces had recruited hundreds more officers.

“Kent does have record numbers now, about 10% more than they had under the Labour government.

“We do intend to review the police funding formula and I would urge Medway Council to put the Public Space Protection Order in place.”

Council leader Cllr Vince Maple (Lab) said: “I want to thank Kelly for raising this issue in Parliament.

“It is just a shame she failed to mention that cuts from her Conservative government have meant that Kent Police have had to make over £110 million of savings since they took over in 2010.

“Criminals know they can get away with it, and sadly they are right. Last year just one in 10 public order offences in Kent resulted in a charge.

“Nuisance vehicles are not a new issue and the previous council administration which Kelly had been part of spent 23 years not putting anything in place.

“We are working with our colleagues in Kent Police to tackle the issue and will be discussing Public Space Protection Orders at cabinet next week and hope this has the support of Conservatives when it comes to council.”

Business owners, including those on the Medway City Estate, have called for tougher enforcement.

The Strood industrial estate has seen nuisance drivers and their passengers mooning office workers, vandalising buildings and leaving a trail of litter in their wake.