Chorley police issue final warning to nuisance 'boy racers' over illegal gatherings

A crackdown on nuisance drivers is under way in Chorley where police have issued final warnings to dozens of people who had gathered in a supermarket car park in breach of coronavirus restrictions.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The nuisance car meets have been taking place regularly at car parks around Chorley in recent months, with the Morrisons car park and Friday Street car park attracting crowds of around 30 drivers and their passengers late at night.

Frustrated residents say the groups are not only flouting coronavirus restrictions, but are also anti-social, with engines heard revving loudly and music playing late into the night.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Responding to these concerns, police in Chorley visited Friday Street car park in the town centre on Boxing Day, where they dispersed a group of around 30 drivers and their passengers.

Police in Chorley say they are committed to tackling the problem of anti-social car meets and have sought support from Morrisons who have agreed to lock the gates to their car park in the evenings. Pic: GooglePolice in Chorley say they are committed to tackling the problem of anti-social car meets and have sought support from Morrisons who have agreed to lock the gates to their car park in the evenings. Pic: Google
Police in Chorley say they are committed to tackling the problem of anti-social car meets and have sought support from Morrisons who have agreed to lock the gates to their car park in the evenings. Pic: Google

Officers took note of the registration numbers using body-worn cameras and warned that those found congregating again would be fined.

On Boxing Day (December 26), Sgt Harrison, of Chorley Police, said: "We have just attended Friday Street Car Park where there has been a car meet of approximately 30 cars.

"Occupants of the vehicles were mingling with each other. None of the people were wearing masks and the attendees were blatantly breaching Tier 3 restrictions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"All vehicle registrations have been taken via the use of Body worn video and noted down by officers.

The Morrisons supermarket in Chorley shuts its doors at 10pm and the barriers will now come down at 11pm, with the car park reopening at 6am the following morning, in a bid to deter illegal gatherings of car enthusiasts. Pic: GoogleThe Morrisons supermarket in Chorley shuts its doors at 10pm and the barriers will now come down at 11pm, with the car park reopening at 6am the following morning, in a bid to deter illegal gatherings of car enthusiasts. Pic: Google
The Morrisons supermarket in Chorley shuts its doors at 10pm and the barriers will now come down at 11pm, with the car park reopening at 6am the following morning, in a bid to deter illegal gatherings of car enthusiasts. Pic: Google

"All attendees have been warned that we are compiling a list of vehicles and should they return to the location then Fixed Penalty notices will be issued for breaching Tier three restrictions."

But the crackdown at Friday Street has led to reports of 'boy racers' gathering at other car parks in the town instead, including the nearby Morrisons supermarket.

However, police say they are committed to tackling the problem and have sought support from Morrisons who have agreed to lock the gates to the car park after the store closes in the evenings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The supermarket shuts its doors at 10pm and the barriers will now come down at 11pm, with the car park reopening at 6am the following morning.

There is already signage at the entrance to the car park which advises that the barriers come down one hour after the store closes, but this has rarely been implemented, leaving the car park open to nuisance drivers who congregate after hours.

One local resident said: "My parents have lived on the estate next to Morrisons for nearly 30 years and they always make promises to lock the gates but they never do."

But Sgt Harrison has now issued a final warning to the nuisance drivers, with those whose registration numbers are on a police list at risk of being fined £200 (lowered to £100 if paid within 14 days) for any further breaches of the Tier 4 social gathering restrictions currently in place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sgt Harrison, of Chorley Police, said: "There has been an increase in reports of Anti Social Drivers congregating on the Morrisons car park in Chorley.

"This may be a displacement of the issue from Friday Street.

"As a result we have linked in with Morrisons who will be closing the barriers when the petrol station closes in the evening.

"Also we have collated a number of registrations from the congregating vehicles on Friday Street. If any repeat offending vehicles are found congregating in the area then you are likely to receive a Covid19 fixed Penalty.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Officers will be patrolling the areas this evening (January 4). You have been warned. It will be tickets if we see them now."

It is more important than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

For unlimited access to news and information online, you can subscribe here.