‘Anti-social behaviour and anti-social use of vehicles will not be tolerated’
Alderley Edge has become a hotspot for car meets(Image: @supercarsinmanchester)
Police have placed a 36 hour dispersal order on Alderley Edge and parts of the A34 amid social media reports of a planned Bank Holiday car meet.
A number of illegal car meets have been held in the upmarket village and nearby Wilmslow in recent weeks, despite a police crackdown. Hundreds of people have been known attend the events featuring high-end, high powered cars being driven through some of Cheshire most affluent areas.
But it’s led to safety concerns and complaints from residents because of the noise of revving engines and parking, with cars mounted pavements, roundabouts and grass verges. Now Cheshire Police have been granted a dispersal order from 10am today until 10pm tomorrow (Bank Holiday Monday), following reports a car meet had been arranged for this weekend.
It covers the centre of Alderley Edge and a stretch of the A34 to the north of the village and gives police the power to remove anyone suspected of committing crime or anti-social behaviour from the area.
The area covered by the dispersal order
Chief Insp Zoe Bowden said: “I understand the frustration and anger that illegal car meets cause, and I hope that this dispersal order will provide reassurance to local residents by demonstrating that we are taking action. This is an ongoing problem in the local area, and I want to reassure residents that we are committed doing all we can to tackle the issue.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to those who break the law, and I want to make it clear that action will be taken against anyone who breaches the dispersal order this weekend. This could include vehicle seizures, penalty notices, notifying insurance companies, or arrest and prosecution where necessary.
Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here
“This order is not aimed at people meeting in their cars peacefully, simply those disrupting local communities and acting in an anti-social manner. Our message is clear – anti-social behaviour and anti-social use of vehicles will not be tolerated.”
Last week Cheshire police moved to dispel ‘false messages’ on social media claiming the meet had been approved by the force.
Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE
Speaking at the time Chief Insp Bowden said: “There seems to be an assumption amongst attendees that these events have been authorised by Cheshire Police and local councils. I can say categorically, that this is not the case and the constabulary has no involvement in their organisation and I would urge anyone planning to attend to seriously reconsider doing so.”