Calls for more action as car cruise causes misery for Peterborough residents

Last week councillors have voted unanimously to investigate anti-social behaviour associated with car cruising in the city following a number of complaints from residents over the past few months.

MORE: Anti-social behaviour linked to car cruising in Peterborough to be tackled by special council ‘task groupBut just days later there were more complaints as loud, revving engines and speeding drivers in Orton Southgate made families' lives a misery late into the night.

Residents also raised concerns about social distancing at the events

One resident said: "There was approximately fifty to sixty vehicles at this event.

"There was approximately one hundred to one hundred and fifty people.

"I overheard people saying they had travelled from Boston, Skegness, Grantham, Wellingborough, Stevenage and various other locations.

"Social distancing and face coverings seemed to have been forgotten about."

Police imposed a section 34 Dispersal notice on Saturday night, running until Sunday evening - but there were complaints about the police response to the problems.

The notice encompassed Orton Southgate, Hampton, the Brotherhood Retail Park and the Fair Meadow Car Park as well as the Parkways, and gave police more powers to move anti-social drivers on.

Orton Waterville ward councillor Julie Howell, who has campaigned for action to be taken against the drivers who cause problems for residents said: "We had all the usual trouble and all the usual struggle getting the police out.

"Residents tell me they were calling for the police to attend for three hours, but nothing actually happened until I called them. This is not how it should be.

"There was torrential rain on Saturday night, but this did not deter them.

"I seconded Cllr Coles' motion and had a lot of input into the draft. There is only so much the council can do without the support of the police, which is why I suggested that a cross-party task and finish group of councillors be established to produce a report.

"Cllr Coles suggested the a representative from the police should be on the group, which I think is a great idea. The group will come up with recommendations. However, this is in addition to, not instead of, the work that is already underway to prevent drifting and car cruises from gathering at Orton Southgate Industrial Estate and elsewhere.

"There will be more information about these measure before the end of the year. Until then, those who don't care about the distress they cause will continue what they're doing unabated (unless the police have the resources to attend). I notice there was a dispersal order over the weekend. It would be good to have these in place every weekend to stop the problem before it starts."

A Cambridgeshire police spokesman said: "We’re aware of the ongoing issues relating to car meets and anti-social driving across the city and we’re working with partners including Peterborough City Council to address these. Alongside this however, demand for our services has never been higher and we have to prioritise every call for service alongside the crimes and incidents ongoing at that time.

“We were called at 9.44pm on Saturday (24 October) to reports of a car meet up in Orton Southgate and a gathering of cars in and around the area.

“Officers attended and engaged with the group who were encouraged to move on. There were no issues reported and all vehicles had left the location by 11.30pm.

“A dispersal order was also put in place at 10.45pm due to the concerns over anti-social driving and encompassed Orton Southgate, Hampton, the Brotherhood Retail Park and the Fair Meadow Car Park as well as the Parkways. The dispersal order remained in place for 24 hours, until 10.45pm on Sunday (25 October).”

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Police attend car cruise at Peterborough car park after concerns raisedPeterborough residents speak of anger over problems caused by large car cruise in city