Police increase powers in Greater Manchester town for two days after night of chaos
After a car meet brought chaos to Greater Manchester's roads, police in another part of the region have beefed up their powers to stop another taking place.
A dispersal order has been issued by Greater Manchester Police in parts of Wigan for this weekend (March 15 and 16).
Officers warn they will take action against anyone seen driving dangerous, carelessly or 'in an anti-social manner' - with such drivers running the risk of having their cars taken off them.
The dispersal order has been slapped on Westwood Way and the Asda car park, on Robin Park.
As well as driving offences, the order can be used to tackle anti-social behaviour, with police having powers to order people to move on.
Police in Wigan used the same measure three weeks ago, with a two-day dispersal order issued to fend off any would-be weekend car meets on February 22 and 23.
And officials in the town will be keen to avoid a repeat of scenes around Trafford and Manchester Airport last night (Thursday), after roads became gridlocked as an unauthorised car meet snaked through the area.
A GMP Wigan spokesperson said: "A dispersal order will be in place over the weekend covering... the areas of Westwood Way and Asda Car Park Soho Street, Wigan.
"There will be a police presence to enforce the order and positive action will be taken against any individual driving dangerously or carelessly and in an anti-social manner.
"This includes having vehicles seized under the Police Reform Act 2002 and prosecution.
"Furthermore, if you attend any car cruiser events at these locations, your vehicles registration will be noted, and your insurance company will be alerted. This can cause your insurance to increase or to be terminated and can be difficult to get insurance with another company.
"A section 35 Dispersal Order also gives officers additional powers to deal with anti-social behaviour. Officers can issue you a notice to leave the area immediately. Failure to do so can lead to your arrest, or if you return to the area after already being issued a warning."
Huge crowds gathered and engines revved loudly near Trafford Palazzo last night as a car meet got underway, while there was also severe congestion along Wilmslow Road and at the Manchester Airport tunnels.
Greater Manchester Police has been approached for an update.
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