TWO huge car meets, rife with antisocial behaviour, loud music and drug use, took place in Basingstoke over the weekend with one resident calling it "unacceptable."
Hundreds of people attended the large car meets in the evening on Sunday, September 8.
The first meeting took place in the car park of the Leisure Park at around 7.42pm, before moving to the car park outside Asda in Brighton Hill at around 8.46pm after police issued a dispersal order.
One resident of Gershwin Road, in Brighton Hill, told the Gazette that the noise was going on "well past midnight."
READ MORE: Dispersal order in Basingstoke after unauthorised car meets
The resident, who asked not to be named, told the Gazette how she could smell cannabis when she drove past the site.
She said: "This antisocial behaviour is completely unacceptable. The police removed everyone from the Leisure Park only for them to congregate in the Asda car park making lots of noise, smoking cannabis, lighting fireworks and revving cars."
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary told the Gazette that officers "proactively monitor" information regarding car meets, they said: "We were called at 7.42pm yesterday (8 September) to a report of a car meet at the Leisure Park car park. Officers attended and the group dispersed.
SEE ALSO: Suspected teen drug dealer arrested after police pull over Toyota Prius
"We then received a further call at 8.46pm to a report of a car meet at the Asda car park on Brighton Way. Officers attended the scene later that evening but the group had dispersed.
"Officers take all reports of anti-social use of vehicles seriously and continue to proactively monitor information which helps us build a bigger intelligence picture around what is happening and where, enabling us to target our resources.
"Where possible, and based on demand depending on other live incidents in the district, officers will deploy to unauthorised car meets and deal with any offences.
"Officers will use available legislation and take action where necessary, which can include seizing vehicles, issuing penalty notices and dispersal notices, notifying insurance companies of illegal modifications, and arrest where necessary.
"We are also continuing to work closely with partners and businesses to help tackle these issues and would like to ask the public to continue to report any incidents to us.
"If anyone witnesses anything they think is unacceptable, and they have footage, please share it with us so we can take action where possible.
"You are able to do this a number of ways, including online or by calling 101 and mentioning Op Chromium, which was set up in 2022 as a force operation relating to unauthorised car meets."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel