'Dangerous' groups of drivers meet in Chippenham car parks

Concerns have reportedly been growing among members of the public and business owners in Chippenham recently, with various car parks being used by congregating motorists.

In particular, car parks along Bath Road and Hungerdown Lane have been identified as problem areas in which motorists have been using their vehicles in an anti-social manner.

Police will now be conducting “extensive high visibility patrols” around the most affected areas, says PC Paul Croft.

He said: “We know that there are a number of dedicated, law-abiding car enthusiasts in our town who do not cause issues within their community.

“However, there are a small number of individuals who are continuing to meet at various locations late at night and are acting in an anti-social manner, causing criminal damage to some areas and disruption and intimidation to local people.”

Officers, including those from the Road Policing and Specials Traffic Units, will be able to seize vehicles that are driven in a way likely to “cause alarm, distress or annoyance”, under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act.

Sgt Jamie Ball warned that some of those using the car parks had been driving in a manner that posed a serious danger to other members of the public.

Bath Road Car Park Chippenham

He added: “Whilst these incidents have been ongoing for years, we know that they can peak during the warmer months, most often between 9pm and midnight.

“These groups are causing disruption to local people living and working nearby. Not only that, the manner in which some of these people are driving their vehicles is extremely dangerous and could result in serious injury or worse.

Sgt Ball added that police will continue to deal with incidents while working on a long-term solution.

He said: “We are committed to creating safer public spaces in our towns and we will continue to target these individuals who are acting in an anti-social manner and causing alarm to others.

“I hope news of this latest operation will be welcomed by residents most affected by these issues, as well as business owners, who we have been working closely with to come up with a longer-term solution.”

Those who wish to report concerns relating to anti-social drivers can do so by calling 101.