Police target industrial estate as part of car meets crackdown
Police are continuing to monitor an industrial estate near Swindon as part of a crackdown on car meets.
An operation was carried out by police at Whitehill Industrial Estate, Royal Wootton Bassett, on the evening of Saturday, April 12.
Officers used an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Van designed to deter and identify anyone planning on partaking in an unauthorised car meet in the area.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police had previously stated that car meets were causing "major issues" for residents and businesses in and around the estate.
No issues were raised during the operation, with a number of vehicles reported to have made hasty exits from the industrial estate.
A spokesperson for Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade Police said: "On Saturday (12/04), we carried out another operation using our force's Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Van at Whitehall Industrial Estate.
"During our visit, no issues were raised. A few vehicles came into the estate but quickly turned around.
"We will continue to monitor the area and will prosecute any drivers committing offences.
"Thank you to the residents and local businesses for your ongoing support and patience."
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Swindon Borough Council revealed plans in March to tackle anti-social behaviour such as unauthorised car meets by introducing Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO).
The PSPO would be in place throughout the borough, and would also prevent anyone from travelling to an event in a vehicle that is either attending or taking part in the car meet.
Fixed penalty notices of £100 would be issued to anyone who breaches the restrictions of the order.
The proposal comes following reports of 45 car meets in Swindon between July 2023 and July 2024, with one pedestrian even being hit in September 2023 after a car crashed into the crowd.
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A driver hit a pedestrian while doing doughnuts in the middle of a crowd at a car meet in Hawksworth Industrial Estate, Swindon on September 30 last year.
The car meet was attended by around 500 people but descended into chaos with one arrest being made.
A survey carried out by the council found that more than 90 per cent of people surveyed were in favour of introducing PSPOs within the town centre and Broadgreen.
Wiltshire Police issued a warning in December last year for anyone organising or partaking in car meets, with a spokesperson for the service stating: "We will not tolerate anybody taking part in disruptive car meets in Wiltshire and those involved will be dealt with robustly.
"But for those who are inclined to attend, please expect to see a proportionate policing presence."
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