‘Thousands’ of petrolheads ignore Tier 3 Covid lockdown to show off their motors and drag race through red lights in illegal car meet
- Police issued £700 in fines after hundreds of cars gathered in Hucknell Sunday
- Footage from the car meet showed engines revving as crowds walked around
- Seven people handed £100 fines for ignoring a police order banning ‘cruising’
- A source said drivers were ‘running red lights’ and ‘drifting’ at a Tesco car park
‘Thousands’ of petrolheads have ignored Tier 3 Covid lockdown to show off their motors and drag race through red lights in an illegal car meet.
Police issued £700 in fines after hundreds of drivers gathered in a Tesco car park in Hucknell, Nottinghamshire, on Sunday night.
Footage from the meet showed cars’ engines revving as people defied social distancing to walk around in large groups, despite an organiser claiming it was a ‘drive-in’ event.
Nottinghamshire police confimed £100 fines were handed to seven people for ‘breaching Ashfield District Council’s Public Spaces Protection Order in respect of “cruising” in the vicinity’.
Police issued £700 in fines after hundreds of drivers gathered in a Tesco car park in Hucknell, Nottinghamshire, on Sunday night
One source told the Nottingham Post they saw drivers ‘running red lights, drifting around the car park, drag racing through red lights’.
Nottinghamshire police said in a statement: ‘Car cruisers who ignore pleas to stop illegal gatherings have been warned police are prepared to step up fines.’
Officers were called to Hucknall, close to the tram stop next to Tesco in Ashgate Road on Sunday evening, where it was reported there was a large gathering of car cruisers.
Police cars parked in the entrance to prevent further drivers arriving and fines were handed out.
Footage from the meet showed cars’ engines revving as people defied social distancing to walk around in large groups, despite an organiser claiming it was a ‘drive-in’ event
Officers were called to Hucknall, close to the tram stop next to Tesco in Ashgate Road on Sunday evening, where it was reported there was a large gathering of car cruisers
The force has been concerned for some time about regular Sunday evening gatherings off Junction 27 of the M1, where large numbers of modified and high performance vehicles are parked up and driven recklessly around the area.
In response to complaints of anti-social behaviour and dangerous driving a PSPO has been in place in the area since 2018, allowing officers to fine drivers, passengers and spectators who gather in the area.
Sergeant James Flint 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.
‘As many of them clearly haven’t listened we took firm action on Sunday and make issue the fines.
‘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.’