Dispersal order issued to tackle illegal car meets

Police have issued a dispersal order which covers Reginald Mitchell Way from the A500 to the A50.

A dispersal order to tackle illegal car meets has been issued.

It follows reports of large groups of drivers meeting at night on the A527 Reginald Mitchell Way, Stoke-on-Trent, last weekend.

The order gives police the power to disperse anyone from the area in order to reduce harassment, alarm or distress to local residents.

The order comes into force from 19:00 GMT on Saturday and lasts until 23.59 on Sunday.

Failing to comply with the order is a criminal offence and officers can return those under the age of 16 to their home address.

PC Paul Seddon, from the Stoke North local policing team, said previous enforcement action as well as warning letters sent to drivers had led to a decrease in calls about the problem.

“Dangerous driving and anti-social gatherings such as this cause disruption to communities and can put motorists and the public at risk of serious harm,” he said.

He added that those found driving carelessly or dangerously, causing noise nuisance or acting in an anti-social manner, could be arrested, fined, or have their vehicle seized.

The order covers Reginald Mitchell Way (A527), from the A500 to the A50, including Chatterley Road and Marlborough Way, as well as pavements, central reservations, roundabouts and grass areas to the sides of the carriageways.