The Police working with the Council were able to thwart a car ‘Cruise’ Event at Hedge End. The joint operation involved officers from the Safer Neighbourhoods team from Hedge End, the Roads Policing Unit from Totton and the Environmental Health team from Eastleigh Borough Council.
When officers arrived at about 9pm they estimated that 100 to 150 people were on site. Some had vehicles and others were spectators lining the street ready to watch the vehicles racing/cruising.
The first vehicle stopped and issued with a section 59 warning for anti-social use of a motor vehicle was caught by one of the Police Community Support Officers. In total approximately 25 vehicles were stopped and checked by Police, the Environmental Health Officer and the Prohibitions Officer.
The vehicles were checked for noise emissions, with levels up to 112 dB measured, as many of the vehicles were fitted with non-standard exhaust equipment. As well as issuing a number of fixed penalty tickets the measurement procedure generated great interest and discussion amongst drivers and onlookers and emphasised to them the problems that noisy exhausts cause to local residents. The Environmental Health Officer said :-
“The problems of cruising cars has been a big local problem in the area for quite some time and this joint exercise gave a positive signal that noisy vehicles cause widespread local distress to residents and will not be tolerated”.
The following day Police Sergeant Dave Tongs commented :-
“The operation had the most impact within the first hour. The large crowds and vehicles dispersed putting an end to the event which causes unnecessary noise and danger in our community.”
“Last night’s operation went really well and will be carried out again with assistance from our partner agencies, should we receive information that another meeting is planned in Hedge End.”
One of the main ways the Borough Council works with the Police, Resident Associations, Parish & Town Councils, ordinary residents and the County Council’s Youth Service is through the Community Safety Forum. We generally meet once a month to discuss issues in the area and work out a plan of action or change of tack to tackle each issue.
If you believe you can contribute to making our neighbourhood a safer place to live and would to like to come along to the Community Safety Forum for West End, contact us and we will let you know about the next meeting.
Commenting on this local Councillor and Vice-Chair of the Hedge End, West End and Botley local area committee David Goodall said :-
“This is a great example of how Council, Police and local community can work together to make a real difference in tackling this type of anti-social behaviour”