Nottinghamshire Police issue fresh warnings to ‘car cruisers’
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Officers have been concerned for some time about regular Sunday evening gatherings off junction 27, where large numbers of modified and high performance vehicles are parked up and driven recklessly around the area.
Police issued seven further fixed penalty notices on Sunday night following an illegal car meet and warned anyone who continues to ignore the appeal they will have to stump up £100.
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Hide AdOfficers were called to Hucknall, close to the tram stop next to Tesco in Ashgate Road, where it was reported there was a large gathering of car cruisers.
They then travelled up to junction 27 of the M1, which is within a Public Space Protection Order zone.
Police met them and began issuing tickets which deterred others from remaining in the area.
Sergeant James Flint, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We have been very patient at this site for many months now and have spent considerable time engaging with people and explaining the restrictions to them.
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Hide Ad“Frankly we could have issued dozens of fines in this time, but our focus here isn’t about issuing tickets or making money – it is about public safety and anti-social behaviour.
“Too many of the people who attend these gatherings end up driving in a dangerous, reckless or antisocial manner which poses a hazard to other road users and a noise nuisance to anyone else in the area.
“We have tried very hard in recent weeks to engage with them and to explain what will happen if they continue to congregate at the site.
“As many of them clearly haven’t listened we took firm action on Sunday and make issue the fines.
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Hide Ad“We understand that many people are very proud of their vehicles, but these gatherings are a very clear driver of dangerous and reckless driving.
“As such we are now taking very firm steps to dissuade people from taking part or even standing and watching it.”
Councillor Helen-Ann Smith, cabinet member for community safety at Ashfield District Council, added: “Car cruising is dangerous, not just for those involved but members of the public using the roads safely.”