POLICE will attend a demonstration against car meets planned for Wokingham town centre tomorrow afternoon.
In this week’s Wokingham Today, we revealed that residents have been plagued by late night gatherings of motorists at Carnival Pool. They have been revving engines and causing exhausts to backfire, as well as driving round the town.
In desperation, residents have vowed to show their displeasure by gathering at Carnival Pool for 2pm on Saturday, January 22.
And it is understood that a counter protest, from some of those involved in the late night drives will also be attending.
In a statement released this evening by Wokingham Borough Council, they revealed that Thames Valley Police had taken action against the anti-social drivers by using Section 59 of the Police Reform Act, and that Community Protection Notices have been issued.
“We are working hard to put additional measures in place to prevent further anti-social behaviour,” the statement said.
It added: “We are aware of a protest against these car meets planned for this Saturday and have heard that there may be a backlash against the protest by some of the drivers who attend the car meets.
“While we support the right of all residents to lawfully protest, our number one priority is public safety.
“There will be a police presence at the protest to enforce the law and keep the public safe.”
Read more: Wokingham residents organise protest against Carnival car meets
The council and police also said they would take swift action against anti-social behaviour.
This included Thames Valley Police seizing a vehicle at a car meet earlier this week at the Thames Valley Business Park in Earley.
The statement added: “Action against irresponsible, and antisocial drivers will continue to be taken this weekend.”
Thames Valley Police explained that on Wednesday night the Wokingham North Neighbourhood Team turned up at the meeting, following calls from residents.
“With our proactive approach we were able to move the car meet on, assisted by information provided to us by local residents,” its statement said.
“The car meet tried to move on to a second location in Reading, which they were also moved on from very quickly.
“In the process, this unlucky driver had their vehicle seized due to previously receiving a Section 59 warning for anti-social driving.”
And last weekend, it gave out 20 additional Section 59 warnings for those driving in an “anti-social manner”.
“We would like to remind all drivers attending these events that we will be issuing tickets, and when appropriate, vehicles will be seized. Please think before you decide to drive anti-socially or dangerously and the potential consequences you may incur,” the statement added.
