Colchester: Officers tackle illegal car meet

Officers tackling a large illegal car meet in Colchester issued more than 100 fines for breaching a Public Space Protection Order.

They also made three arrests as they looked to clamp down on dangerous driving practices.

On Saturday 18 May, Roads Policing officers dispersed a large illegal car meet in an industrial car park in Colchester, to protect the nearby community from anti-social driving and to ensure road safety.

The team were supported by officers from the Colchester Local Policing Team and Community Policing Team as they worked together to deter in excess of 1,000 people in attendance, intent on taking part in dangerous driving and those spectating the anti-social driving displays.

As part of our road safety responsibilities, we are committed to tackling illegal car meets and ensuring public safety across our county.

We will not tolerate these large-scale meetings and will use all powers available to us to tackle the issue.

Action taken

Using enforcement powers to tackle a range of traffic offences, on the night they dealt with:

• 1 arrest for drink/drug driving
• 2 arrests for taking a car without consent of the owner made in the vicinity
• 2 vehicles were issued with prohibition notices due to mechanical faults making them unsafe to drive
• 1 car seized due to anti-social driving practices
• 2 drivers reported for no insurance
• 1 driver reported for careless driving
• 5 vehicle defects
• 2 drivers reported for obstructing the highway

Furthermore, officers issued £100 fines to over 100 people for breaching a Public Space Protection Order covering the area. 

The order allows us to deal with problems in public spaces, imposing conditions on the use of that area so everyone can enjoy it and use it safely.

'Potential for serious consequences'

Adam Pipe, head of Essex Police's Roads Policing Unit, previously explained:

“Drivers at these events often engage in anti-social and dangerous driving practices such as drifting, where the driver is not properly in control of their car.
“This is not a question of spoiling anyone’s fun, this is a very serious matter with potentially very serious consequences to spectators and drivers alike should there be a collision.
“These events won’t be tolerated and when we are made aware of an unauthorised event, we will take robust action and use all our resources to prevent and disrupt them from taking place.”

Officers can also use Dispersal Orders as temporary measures, bestowing extra powers to tackle localised issues such as car meets.

They allow officers to direct anyone involved in anti-social behaviour to leave the designated area quietly, or risk being arrested.

They aim to prevent anti-social behaviour and crime taking place and provide reassurance to the local community and to businesses that we are tackling the issues that concern them the most.

Other powers at officers’ disposal include:

• Use of section 59 notices warning drivers that if they are caught again, their cars will be seized
• Issuing traffic offence reports for breaches of traffic law
• Removal of illegal window tints
• Specially trained officers can examine vehicles for roadworthiness and, if necessary, seize vehicles.

In the first four months of this year, force wide, Roads Policing officers have issued 109 warnings for anti-social driving and seized 17 cars.

Help us reduce road collisions and casualties in Essex and make our roads even safer. Report instances of poor and dangerous driving through Safer Essex Roads Partnership's Extra Eyes initiative.

More than ever, irresponsible, dangerous and illegal road behaviour is being recorded by road users. Through Extra Eyes this footage can be sent to, and reviewed by, an investigator within Road Policing at Essex Police.

Find out how by visiting Safer Essex Roads Partnership website.