Fast and Furious Northampton: Police condemn illegal car meets in busy supermarket car park following weekend chaos

Police have sent out a strong message to anyone thinking about participating in illegal car meets in Northampton following chaos over the weekend.

Northamptonshire Police issued a dispersal order on Friday (March 17) after 40 cars descended into Sainsbury’s car park in Sixfields.

The dispersal order under the anti-social crime and policing act 2014 gives police the power to direct a person who has committed, or is likely to commit, anti-social behaviour to leave a specified area and not return for a specified period of up to 48 hours.

Officers have explained today (Monday) why that countywide dispersal order was put in place.

A police spokeswoman said: "The dispersal order was put in place after more than 40 vehicles congregated on the Sainsbury’s car park and were reportedly revving engines excessively, drifting (performing donuts) and racing.

"Customers at the store felt intimidated by the group, and some asked officers to escort them to their cars.

"We have seen occasions in the past where groups will just move to another area of the county and start again – which is why this order was countywide.

"The order was extended into Saturday (March 18) following attempts to set up car meets at other locations.”

Police confirmed there were no arrests in connection with the order but one vehicle was seized.

"A silver Lexus was seized under section 59 for anti-social behaviour (drifting on a public road) – this was being driven by a 19-year-old man from St Albans.

"Two further drivers were reported for excessive vehicle noise and speeding,” the spokeswoman said.

In terms of prevention, police say they will continue to work with partners, businesses and local communities to ensure sites are safe from illegal meets.

“The force message is simply that these events are not welcome within our county, and we will robustly enforce any offences,” the spokeswoman said.

Conservative councillor Nick Sturges-Alex (Upton) said the issue of illegal car meets have caused ‘great nuisance’ to residents in his ward.

The councillor said: “These illegal car meetings first started during lockdown. This caused a great nuisance to residents, particularly those along the eastern side of Upton where the noise of revving engines and screeching tyres was unbearable, particularly during the hot summer when everyone had their windows open. This is clearly unacceptable, and I’ve been liaising with the police since then to address this.

“The police have also been working with the landowners to find a long-term sustainable solution. The land is however, privately owned which limits what the police and council can do.

"Since lockdowns ended, the problems appeared to have stopped, but sadly it’s just moved to retail park side. While this is disappointing, it’s reassuring that the police have taken such a positive step to hold those responsible to account. This puts out a strong signal to those involved that this behaviour is not acceptable.”

A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said: “Safety of our colleagues and customers is our highest priority. We are supporting the police with their investigation.”

Councillor David Smith, WNC's Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, said: “The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) has agreed to apply for an Injunction in respect to car cruising and car meets which will cover all of West Northamptonshire following issues with car meets in DIRFT, Panattoni Park, Moulton Park and Sixfields.

“These injunctions have been successfully applied for by other authorities in various parts of the West Midlands and there are indications that some of those meeting in West Northamptonshire are travelling in from these areas, whilst others are coming up from Milton Keynes having been dispersed by Thames Valley Police.

“West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has put together an injunction bundle, however this has been delayed due to a pending Supreme Court hearing on the matter of injunctions against persons unknown. The Council will reassess the situation once the court has reached a verdict.

“In the meantime, the CSP will be deploying a mobile CCTV unit to Moulton and would encourage residents to continue to report any incidents. Northants Police are also collecting statements to add to the evidence bundle to demonstrate that the matter is ongoing once it reaches court.”