POLICE have issued a warning to those behind unlicensed car meets ahead of planned events in Swindon and the wider county this summer.

Sergeant Georgina Romani said enthusiasts thinking of gathering in large numbers could expect a tough stance from Wiltshire Police, given the nuisance such meets cause for communities.

She said: “We are facing an increased demand on our service over the summer months and we don’t want to spoil people’s fun simply for the sake of it.

“I know that car enthusiasts have been unable to hold their usual events over the past 18 months or so, and that they are keen to finally meet up with each other.

“However, we cannot ignore the fact that some of these car meets are very anti-social and have a negative impact on our communities.

“A recent event in Swindon caused a huge amount of problems for locals, who were upset by the noise and traffic disruption, as well as raising safety concerns about the manner of driving displayed.

“Therefore, I want to make it clear that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and we will be taking action against those who gather at these large-scale unlicensed events.

"Also, this will be a consistent approach across all areas of Swindon and Wiltshire.”

While the police understand that people are keen to socialise now that Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, they stressed that large-scale car meets can also cause disruption and noise nuisance.

Police have a number of powers at their disposal to break up car meets, including using a Section 35 dispersal notice which orders people to leave the area and allows officers to arrest those who fail to comply.

Officers can also consider applying for specific injunctions to prevent car meets taking place.

If anyone has information about a planned or ongoing anti-social car meet, which is causing a nuisance or disruption, people can report this by going online at www.wiltshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime