Police crackdown on meeting highjackers
Police have targeted drivers who break the law and cause a nuisance to businesses and residents in Cannock.
Police have targeted drivers who break the law and cause a nuisance to businesses and residents in Cannock.
The town has become a meeting point for car enthusiasts who congregate, particularly on Sunday evenings.
Officers say the majority of them are law-abiding and are simply enjoying a social activity. But others can hijack the unofficial events as an excuse to race through the streets putting lives at risk. The operation also aims to crackdown on all forms of illegal or anti-social driving.
Leading the operation is sergeant Gordon Price, of Cannock Police. He said: "People unfairly categorise these people as boy racers. In fact, they come from all walks of life, both sexes and a range of ages.
"Most of them do nothing wrong and, in fact, take such a pride in their vehicles that they pass roadworthiness tests with flying colours.
"They choose Cannock because of easy access with the M6 and A5. Sometimes you can get a few hundred on a night.
"Unfortunately, you do get some who will masquerade as members and drive too fast on the road."
Sgt Price said many of the complaints he receives from residents, particularly living around The Orbital at Bridgtown, is because of perceived wrong-doing.
He said: "The speed limit on The Orbital is 50mph. If you have 10 cars going up and down there at that speed, the noise or tyres squealing, can lead people to believe that the drivers are racing when they are just parading and staying within the speed limit, so this high visibility operation is also about reassurance and informing the participants of the potential for their activities to be seen as anti-social."
Sgt Price said there are many offences that people are pulled up for in operations like the one on Sunday night. He said: "We also stop people for not wearing seatbelts and using mobile phones."
Ten squad cars were on patrol in the Heath Hayes, Norton and Longford areas between 7pm and midnight, Officers brought Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras with them.
