SOUTH Swindon's MP has backed the police's crackdown on car meets.

Sir Robert Buckland welcomed the police increasing their efforts to stop drivers behaving recklessly and being a nuisance to neighbours.

He and Coun Suresh Gattapur said in a joint statement: "We have been working closely with Swindon Police, Swindon Borough Council, Sainsbury’s, and other local businesses at the Bridgemead Retail Park to tackle the issue of anti-social vehicle behaviour on behalf of local residents.

“A partial closure order is now in place, and we continue our work to explore long-term solutions with Sainsbury's who are looking to implement several initiatives that will look to reduce the anti-social use of vehicles, enhance customer experience and reduce harassment to residents the vehicles can cause.

“We were pleased that the weekend after the closure order was generally quiet, and the Roads Policing Team carried out a day of action.

“Several drivers were caught using a handheld mobile phone which is illegal, even when you are stopped at traffic lights, queuing in traffic, or supervising a learning driver.

"The road requires your full attention at all times and replying to or reading messages, no matter how important they seem could result in a serious accident and loss of life.”