Cheshire Police have issued a dispersal order ahead of an unauthorised car meet planned for Saturday (October 24) at Junction Nine Retail Park off the M62 in Warrington. The order, in force from 6pm to 11pm, targets hundreds of motorists who police say could turn the site into a 'personal racetrack'.
Police act on intelligence and social media posts
The force became aware of the potential meet after receiving intelligence and, over recent days, has noted several social media posts advertising the event. The gathering has not been authorised by the landowner and was arranged without the involvement of police or the local authority.
Unauthorised car meets of this nature can attract hundreds of people in high-powered cars, and police often receive reports of dangerous driving, excessive noise and anti-social behaviour, causing alarm and distress to residents and businesses.
Zero-tolerance approach to offenders
Sergeant Matt Salmon, of the Northern Problem Solving and Prevention Team, said: "Junction 9 Retail Park is a busy retail park, which is popular with shoppers from across the area, and it is simply not the place for hundreds of motorists to use as their personal racetrack – disregarding not only their own safety but the safety of other road users, pedestrians and any responding police officers or emergency service workers.
"This order is not aimed at retail workers, shoppers or other legitimate users of the retail park. It is for those disrupting local communities, acting in an anti-social manner or driving dangerously.
"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."
Legal powers and public contact
The dispersal order is authorised under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, allowing officers to direct people suspected of causing or likely to cause crime, nuisance or anti-social behaviour to leave the designated area and not return for up to 48 hours.
Police are asking anyone with concerns or information regarding criminal activity to contact 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.
