Officers from multiple departments across the Constabulary worked together over the weekend dismantling an illegal car meeting in Alderley Edge, that resulted in a number of anti-social drivers being arrested, reports issued and cars seized.

Over this past weekend, Saturday 15 March and Sunday 16 March, Cheshire Police officers responded to reports of anti-social and dangerous driving at two illegal car meets held on London Road, Alderley Edge.

Despite dispersal orders being in place over the weekend designed to curb any anti-social and dangerous driving, a large number of spectators and drivers had arrived at the scene after the event had been heavily advertised on local social media channels - falsely claiming that it had been authorised by Cheshire Police.

It was also reported many of the vehicles present had been illegally customised, witnessed driving in an anti-social manner, racing and speeding well in excess of the 20mph speed limit for the road.

Local patrols supported by the Roads and Crime units were deployed to the car meet across the weekend to manage the scene and provide reassurance to concerned members of the local community.

Officers conducted a number of actions under the Roads and Traffic Act, that included:

• x23 traffic offence reports being issued
• x18 section 163 stop checks
• x7 section 59 warnings (in relation to anti-social driving and causing distress and annoyance) being issued
• x3 vehicles being seized

A number of speeding offences were also recorded and officers made a total of five arrests over the course of the weekend for offences including suspected drug driving and another for a number of dangerous driving offences.

Local officers will also be following up on social media posts and footage they are aware of where offences are believed to have been committed.

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Chief Inspector Zoe Bowden, of Macclesfield Command, said: "Despite a dispersal order being in place to deter any dangerous or anti-social driving and making it abundantly clear we will take action against anyone who chooses to breach it, we saw a significant number of drivers and spectators flocking to the area after several posts on social media falsely advertised that the event had been authorised by Cheshire Police.

"Some of those showing off their cars in front of crowds of people can be tempted to put their foot down and that's when it becomes dangerous, not just for the pedestrians watching the spectacle, but for innocent motorists who are also legally using the roads.

"This operation was the culmination of several departments within the Constabulary working together to fulfil our duty of care of protecting the public and those using on our roads and I do hope the actions our officers have taken over the weekend deter any future wannabe racers who think they can abuse the rules of the road and get away without any repercussions."

Police are encouraging anyone with any concerns or information on any criminal activity taking place, to contact them on 101 or dial 999 if it is an emergency.

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