A borough council has officially “declared war” on car meets in the area after they were overwhelmingly supported by members of the public to impose £100 instant fines on offenders.
Erewash Borough Council has announced its crackdown on car meets and nuisance drivers in Ilkeston following years of “boy racer” antics on Chalons Way in Ilkeston. Council leaders approved the instant £100 fines after meeting in Long Eaton Town Hall on Tuesday, January 14, after a public consultation showed an overwhelming response for action.
The public consultation — an online survey — received 350 responses, with 98% demanding action. The antics mentioned by the council involve secret car meets often attended by dozens to watch cars do “doughnuts” and drive recklessly while supporters stand by the road, often filming.
A spokesperson for the council said: “Residents near the hotspot of Chalons Way said they were scared to use the road in case the antics caused crashes. Children had been kept awake by the racket from revving engines and squealing tyres.
“A viral video that was posted online after being taken from a bridge over the 40mph dual carriageway showed a BMW performing ‘doughnut’ stunts as it circled a roundabout while pursued by a police van. Another video, which was posted on YouTube, showed dozens of drivers revving their engines nearby on Ilkeston’s Manners Industrial Estate.”
Police have the power to seize vehicles being driven anti-socially and issue fines, however they must first be able to give them a road side warning. Therefore, in cases like this, officers are likely to be evaded by offenders, which has prompted the new approach – which will see registered owners of the vehicles being issued £100 fines through the post.
This new approach is called a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which has been backed by Derbyshire police “as an extra tool for keeping order”. Since the announcement of the plans for the PSPO some residents demanded that this order be expanded to cover other parts of the borough such as Kirk Hallam, Stanton Gate, Breadsall and Little Eaton, as the same behaviour has been reported in these areas.
Erewash’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Becca Everett, said: “Residents have had enough of this antisocial behaviour. It is clear from the consultation that the action by the council is fully supported – and we welcome plans by the Government to give police even more powers to tackle this kind of issue.”