Police issue warning over 'anti-social' car meets in Basingstoke
They say they'll clampdown on illegal behaviour
Police in Basingstoke have been working with partners to address the anti-social use of vehicles in Sainsbury’s car park on Wallop Drive.
Following a number of recent reports of anti-social behaviour at the site, a permanent ANPR camera has now been authorised for installation.
This will result in drivers receiving a £100 fine if a vehicle enters and remains in the car park for more than 10 minutes after the store has closed.
In addition, both Sainsbury’s and the security firm that oversees the site, Mitie, are exploring traffic calming measures that could be introduced to the site later this year.
Police say these measures have been brought in after officers became aware of an increase in anti-social behaviour during car meets in the town.
Meanwhile, on Saturday 12 March, a static car meet took place at Brighton Hill Retail Park.
This group remained stationary, with their engines off, allowing them to respectfully examine vehicles without causing distress to local residents.
Police want to be clear that car meets themselves are not an issue as long as they are conducted lawfully and with respect to businesses and residents.
However, they say they will not tolerate anti-social use of vehicles. Not only is this disruptive to local residents, but it also puts other road users at risk.
At a recent car meet they dealt with several offences:
Two vehicle registrations failing to conform to requirements
One set of tyres with insufficient tread
One individual driving without insurance resulting in the seizure of their vehicle
One individual who was driving otherwise than in accordance with their licence
Two incidents of driving without due care and attention
PC Bex Mason, from the Basingstoke Neighbourhood Team, said:
“Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Basingstoke.
“I would like to thank our partners and Sainsbury’s and Mitie for introducing these measures that will hopefully act as a deterrent for drivers looking to cause a disturbance.
“We have a plan in place to deal with this type of disorder, and we will continue to work with our partners to combat this issue in the longer term.”
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Interim Executive Director for Residents’ Services, Tom Payne, said:
“While the majority of people attending car meets are law-abiding, a small number behave in an anti-social way causing distress and nuisance to local residents.
“We have worked closely with our police colleagues to address this problem and we welcome the action that Sainsbury’s and Mitie have taken by installing these measures to prevent further incidents taking place on their land.
“Anyone who attends such events in the borough should behave in a considerate and responsible way and not cause a disturbance to residents and other road users.”
Police want to encourage residents to continue reporting anti-social use of vehicles through the 101 line so it can be filtered down to local policing units. This can also be done online at www.hampshire.police.uk.
You can also report vehicle crime through Hants SNAP, which is a police initiative aimed at dealing with traffic offences caught on camera.