Appeal following a rise in car meets in Basingstoke

We have been made aware of an increase in anti-social behaviour during car meets across Basingstoke over the last few weeks.

We would like to reassure residents that we are doing everything we can to tackle this problem, which is affecting our communities.

If you become aware of a planned car meet, residents are urged to contact us via 101, or on our website.

Officers may then be able to use Section 35 Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act dispersal powers if certain measures are met.

We have made this issue a district priority and we are working with our partners at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to bring a halt to the anti-social use of vehicles that are occurring at these kinds of incidents.

The four locations we have identified as being areas of note include Sainsbury’s car park on Wallop Drive, St Michael’s Retail Park, Basingstoke Leisure Park and Daneshill Industrial Estate.

It comes after officers successfully shut down two car meets on Friday 18 September and Saturday 19 September.

Our plan to tackle nuisance behaviour is part of a combined effort involving local neighbourhood policing teams, response and patrol teams, and the roads policing unit who are assisting us with road related anti-social behaviour.

As part of our increased patrols in the area, we will also continue to speak to residents in the community to hear the voices of those affected.

We want to ensure people understand how to report any incidents to us, and update them on what we will be doing to tackle these going forward.

Please feel free to speak with one of our officers if you see them on patrol.

PC Bex Mason, from the Basingstoke Neighbourhood Team, said: “Our message is clear; anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Basingstoke.

“We will deal with this type of disorder whenever and wherever it occurs, and we will continue to work with our partners to combat this issue in the longer term.

“We would also like to remind people that if certain car modifications are not declared with the DVLA, it could mean your insurance is no longer valid and your vehicle may be seized.

“Anti-social use of a vehicle can also result in the driver receiving a S59 warning, which could result in any future vehicle driven by this person being seized should they continue to drive in this manner.

“Moving forward, we have a joint plan in place with our partners at the local council and will be working closely with their community safety team to keep our communities safe.

“We are aware of the significant impact these kind of incidents are having on our community as you are telling us on social media, but the current volume of reports does not reflect this.

“It is vital that you report any pre-planned or active car meets on 101 or via our website in order for us to effectively deal with the problem.

“We value your concerns and every bit of information helps us to direct our resources and provide the best service to our communities.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Simon Bound, said: “These kind of events cause significant noise, disruption and distress to our local residents not to mention the additional serious concern about the standards of driving and associated behaviours by some attendees.

“I fully support the District Commander’s decision to make car meets a district priority which will have the effect of escalating it to the county-wide Antisocial Behaviour Task Force.

“I would urge any resident who suspects a family member of being involved in this kind of behaviour to discuss the seriousness of the situation and the potential consequences of continuing.”