Swindon Drivers Face £100 Fines in New Crackdown on Dangerous Car Meets
Motorists in Swindon are now subject to £100 fines as part of a stringent new enforcement initiative aimed at addressing what authorities describe as a serious risk to public safety. Swindon Borough Council, in collaboration with Wiltshire Police, has officially implemented a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) designed to combat the growing issue of unauthorised and hazardous car meets across the borough.
Targeting Anti-Social Behaviour and Community Disruption
The introduction of this PSPO follows extensive consultation and strategic planning, including insights gained from Trafford Council in Greater Manchester, which has faced comparable challenges with illegal car gatherings. Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, emphasised the critical nature of this measure.
This new PSPO is a vital step in our work to make Swindon safer for everyone, stated Councillor Grant. Unauthorised car meets cause real harm and disruption to communities by putting lives at risk and damaging our environment. Tackling anti-social behaviour will help us build a fairer Swindon and this new order builds on our wider work to protect public spaces, support residents and ensure that everyone feels safe where they live and work.
Police Support and Enforcement Powers
Inspector Joe Senior, based in Swindon, has publicly endorsed the additional powers granted by the PSPO, highlighting the significant impact these gatherings have on both police resources and local residents. We appreciate the significant distress that unauthorised car meets can have on local residents and we welcome these additional powers, Inspector Senior remarked.
He further explained, Unauthorised car meets are a drain on police resources and a source of community complaints and we have seen examples of dangerous driving endangering other road users at previous car meets. This PSPO has been introduced following extensive consultation with our partners and local community and we will seek to use these additional powers whenever appropriate.
Proactive Measures and Community Protection
The new PSPO provides enforcement officers with clear and robust authority to prevent and respond to unauthorised car meets, thereby safeguarding both the community and the local environment. This regulatory action is part of a broader strategy that includes targeted operations and the allocation of additional resources by both the Council and Wiltshire Police to effectively address this persistent issue.
Councillor Grant reinforced the commitment to enforcement, stating, Working with our partners in the Police, we will not hesitate to use these powers to hold those responsible to account. This concerted effort underscores a dedicated approach to enhancing public safety and reducing anti-social behaviour in Swindon.
