Tougher powers to crack down on car cruising

Wakefield Council was told communities were being disrupted "too often" by organised car cruises

Tougher powers have been approved to crack down on car cruising across the Wakefield district.

Wakefield Council's cabinet agreed to introduce a public space protection order (PSPO) in the area in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour linked to motor vehicles.

The order will cover organised car meetings, where police and the council will have more powers to clamp down on anyone arranging, driving or spectating at such events.

Officers will have powers to hand out £100 fixed penalty notices to anyone thought to have committed an offence.

Daniel Wilton, cabinet member for communities, told a meeting on Tuesday that Wakefield communities were being disrupted "too often" by organised car cruises.

"These events are not just dangerous, but they deeply affect the safety and quality of life for those who live and work in those areas," he said.

"Everyone deserves to feel safe in their local community and this is another step forward in that."

'Real step forward'

The move comes after police found their resources stretched due to an increasing number of incidents, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service

In Pontefract, the council heard, police officers had been "overrun with a mob mentality", while "boy racers" had attacked a police vehicle.

Council leader Denise Jeffery, who represents Castleford and Glasshoughton, said all areas in the borough struggled with car cruising.

"At my surgery last week I had a number of residents from a particular area in Glasshoughton who hadn't slept for weeks because of the activities on the road outside," she said.

"I really think this is good. I just hope it will be enforced."

Deputy council leader Jack Hemingway said the move was "about public safety as much as anything".

He said it was a "real step forward" and would hopefully make Wakefield a safer place.

The council said more than 75% of residents responding to a public consultation supported the order, and West Yorkshire Police had also backed the move.

It will be introduced for a three-year period on 1 December, and motorcycles and quad bikes will also be included.

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