Dispersal order put in place following reports of anti-social behaviour linked to unauthorised car meets in Basingstoke

Basingstoke’s District Commander has authorised a dispersal order for this weekend following reports of anti-social behaviour at recent unauthorised car meets.

The order is in place from 6pm on Friday 13 September until 7am on Saturday 14 September.The dispersal order, authorised under Section 34 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, enables police to deal with any issues of anti-social behaviour in the area more effectively.

Officers will have additional powers to order a person to leave the area (pictured in the map attached) with no return within the specified time period.Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.

It comes after officers received reports of a car meet at the Leisure Park car park on Sunday 8 September. Officers attended and the group dispersed. We then received a further call of a car meet at the Asda car park on Brighton Way. Officers attended the scene later that evening but the group had dispersed.

Chief Inspector Scott Johnson, District Commander for Basingstoke, said:

“We are aware that there have been large gatherings of drivers meeting in the Basingstoke area recently.

“Clearly not all members of the car community will engage in anti-social behaviour at these meets. However, we have had reports of dangerous driving, excessive noise and anti-social behaviour, all of which have caused alarm and distress to local residents.

“We have no objection to car enthusiasts meeting up socially, however motorists who drive in an anti-social manner risk the safety of road users and their behaviour disrupts our local communities – this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We ask all drivers to act responsibly and drive safely. Illegal and anti-social behaviour will not go unchallenged, and action can include seizing vehicles, penalty notices, notifying insurance companies, dispersal notices or arrest and prosecution where necessary.

“We would like to reassure our communities that we continue to proactively monitor information and intelligence, work closely with partners and landowners and would remind organisers of events must seek permission of the landowner and district councils.

“The area covered in the operation is a large part of Basingstoke and we can quickly authorise the order in other areas if required. We will have extra officers on duty to support this weekend.

“If you have any concerns or information on any criminal activity taking place, please contact us on 101 or dial 999 if it is an emergency.

”You can also report incidents of dangerous or anti-social driving through Hants SNAP, which is a police initiative aimed at dealing with alleged road traffic offences.For more information, visit https://www.hampshire.police.uk/police-forces/hampshire-constabulary/areas/hants-snap/hantsnap/hants-snap—report-an-incident/