Saffron Walden: Police deal with drivers acting illegally

The car meet - involving 100 cars - took place on Saturday evening (April 15). Officers from Essex Police went along to meet the drivers and say hello.

Most of the vehicles had moved on by 9pm, but some drivers moved on to the Swan Mead car park, and police started to receive complaints about noise and antisocial behaviour.

Officers from Braintree and Uttlesford Community Policing Team took enforcement action, together with colleagues from Roads Policing.

Essex police officers talking to car enthusiasts in Saffron Walden (Image: Essex Police)

One driver had their vehicle seized under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, and was issued a fixed penalty notice (FPN) for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Another was issued with a Section 59 warning, which means that their vehicle - or any vehicle they are driving - can be seized by police if they are caught driving antisocially within the following 12 months.

Officers also issued nine FPNs for illegal exhausts, one for driving while using a mobile phone and two for number plate offences, where the plates are displayed incorrectly.

Sgt Kevin Mayle, of Braintree & Uttlesford Community Policing Team, says: "Car meets in themselves are not antisocial but when they are associated with dangerous and antisocial driving then we will take action.

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"When you are not in full control of your vehicle, you risk endangering the lives of other drivers, spectators and passersby, as well as yourself.

"Illegal modifications to cars are also unsafe and local residents can be disturbed by the excessive revving of car engines, particularly late at night.

"We don’t want to spoil people’s fun but, equally, we don’t tolerate unsafe vehicles or bad driving in Uttlesford and Braintree. Be aware, you risk being prosecuted and, if convicted of certain driving offences, you may be disqualified from driving.

"As well as the specific action we’ve taken to address illegal activity surrounding recent car meets, all our officers will continue to tackle street racing, dangerous and antisocial driving and other associated offences because we know the risks they pose to the public and the harm they can cause."