In recent weeks, people in Basingstoke have noticed regular gatherings of car enthusiasts at various sites across the town.

Last weekend, The Gazette reported on one such gathering, where hundreds of young people were spotted using the Leisure Park as a race track.

A similar scene was reported at Daneshill Industrial Estate on Whitney Road, with photos showing a mass gathering of people and cars.

According to the Facebook event, organised by the Berkshire Street Cruisers group, the meet was their final one of the year, held from 7-10pm on Sunday evening at the Leisure Park, and was intended to be static.

The organisers have been contacted for comment, but the event description read: "Please follow government guidelines in regards to COVID-19. If required there will be masks, gloves and hand sanitisers available from members of the team, just come and ask. Please if you are unwell do not intend, please be sensible.

"Please be courteous to all, as you know what we are about and the team have children and families which will be present.

"Berkshire Street Cruisers will not be held responsible for any anti-social behaviour that takes place. The meet is STATIC and please respect the land used. Please do not litter and use the bins that are around."

Both events attracted mixed comments from the public. But what is a car meet, why are they so popular, and are they a problem?

Petrol-heads

A car meet is, in its origin, exactly what is says on the tin.

Car enthusiasts, known as ‘petrol heads’, come together, usually in large groups, at a car park or particular road and show off their cars.

They share their love for vehicles with stories of the car builds they are working on, or history of their cars.

They can share advice and help each other with motoring projects.

It has also evolved to become more of a social event, with many of the same people attending regularly scheduled meets run by established organisers.

“Vehicle nuisance”

Unfortunately, car meets are sometimes associated with anti-social behaviour such as excessive noise, littering, street racing and other stunts, even if that was not the intention of the organisers.

Street racing is the illegal racing of any kind of vehicle on a public road, while street cruising involves a group of cars forming a convoy and driving together up and down a road, often slowly and taking up both sides which can cause difficulties for other road users.

Stunts and tricks, such as doughnuts and wheelies, are considered by police to be dangerous to both the driver and bystanders, and can cause noise nuisance, especially if taking place at night in residential areas.

Hampshire police say that the above activities come under vehicle nuisance and are not allowed, unless prior permission has been sought as part of an organised event.

The Hampshire Constabulary website says: “Some people regard this kind of vehicle use as harmless fun. However, regular antisocial vehicle use can have a wider impact on a neighbourhood or community than simply nuisance noise.

“The effect of dangerous or reckless use of a vehicle can lead to criminal damage of roads, other vehicles and surrounding property. Drivers and riders also risk injuring themselves, other road users, cyclists and pedestrians as they do not have full control of their vehicle and their full attention on their surroundings.”

So are car meets ok?

Static meets, where motoring enthusiasts come together to talk cars in a safe, public space seem to be pretty harmless - as long as their rubbish is all cleaned up!

It is when these meets escalate and cause danger or disturbance to nearby residents that police will get involved.

Under current Covid-19 guidelines, social gatherings of more than six people are not permitted in England, whether indoors or outdoors, and so mass gatherings such as those seen recently will not be permitted for the foreseeable future.

But when restrictions lift, the popular events are likely to return.

  • What are your views on car meets and would you go along to one? Let us know in the comments below.