Bristol Downs 'severely damaged' by night-time car meet

Grass at Clifton Downs was "severely damaged" after a car meet, parks supervisor Ben Skuse said

Residents have accused a car meet of "shredding" apart a public green and causing "soul destroying damage" to it.

At the 12 June meet, drivers allegedly "skidded" on the Bristol Downs grass which is protected by byelaws.

It is the third meet-up of its kind in the area organised by Beyond City Car Meets UK (BCCMUK).

Avon and Somerset officers said they responded to calls of a car meet on the Downs "but on arrival there was no ongoing car meet".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service was told police had been in attendance for some of the group's previous car meets.

A police spokesperson said: "We received calls regarding two car meets in Bristol on Sunday 12 June, one in Avonmouth and one on Clifton Downs.

"At approximately 22.30pm BST, officers responded to the meet at Avonmouth where they gave words of advice to organisers and ensured their activities did not risk public safety.

"Officers were later dispatched to the Clifton Downs area, but on arrival there was no ongoing car meet.

"We have plans in place for tackling car meets so as to make sure public safety is not compromised."

BCCMUK has been approached for comment.

Residents complained on social media and said it was "such a shame" to see the grass "totally shredded" after the meet on 12 June.

Clifton area parks supervisor Ben Skuse said: "It's soul destroying, when we've done quite a lot of work to put the ground right again afterwards.

"I would say it's an environmental crime."