It’s not the first time officers have used the tactic
06:50, 24 Jul 2025Updated 06:50, 24 Jul 2025
Police in Wigan are cracking down on a potential car meet(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
An entire Greater Manchester borough has been slapped with a police dispersal order for 48 hours.
The move will affect the whole of Wigan borough – from Standish to Tyldesley – from 6pm on Friday (July 25) until the same time on Sunday.
Greater Manchester Police says the order has been issued ahead of anticipated ‘car cruising events’ this weekend – targeting drivers who ‘treat the road as a race track’.
It’s not the first time GMP has used the tactic ahead of an anticipated car meet in Wigan.
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The whole borough was also issued a 24-hour dispersal order on May 10, while officers have issued smaller orders on more specific locations in the town on multiple occasions in recent years.
In a Facebook post announcing the move, a GMP Wigan spokesperson said: “Once again, the order authorised by Inspector Morris, will be implemented and robustly enforced by the local Neighbourhood Team, as well as specialist resources.
“In response to previous responses from the public, this order will not impact any pre planned classic car shows, it will not impact on anyone who owns a specialized vehicle and drives it responsibly.
A map shared by GMP showing every corner of Wigan is covered by the order(Image: GMP)
“It impacts on those groups / individuals who either gather in mass on our public roads or car parks and behave in a manner which many would describe as unfitting within the local community and anti-social.
“It will impact on those of you who use their vehicle on a road and treat said road as a race track, risking the safety of not only themselves, but other law abiding road users.
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“If you fall within the second category, this weekend, we will stop you! We will seize your vehicle! We will prosecute you and we will inform your respective insurance companies with a view to having your policy cancelled.”
GMP also published a map (above) showing the whole of Wigan borough will be covered by the order – including Ashton-in-Makerfield, Atherton, Golborne, Hindley, Leigh, Orrell, Shevington, Standish and Tyldesley.
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