POLICE broke up an unauthorised car meet in Winchester last night after residents complained of noise pollution.

The car meet was held at the East Winchester Park and Ride in Bull Drove late on Saturday, September 21.

Nearby residents took to the social media platform Nextdoor to complain about the noise, with revving engines, back-firing and wheel spinning being heard across the city centre.

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One user said: "Does anyone know what the loud banging noise is in central Winchester this evening? It’s driving our poor dog crazy."

Another said that the noise: "Sounds like a scene out of The Fast and The Furious to me.

"Looks like Winchester is host to a car cruise tonight. How inconvenient!"

Police attended and broke up the meeting at approximately 10.30pm.

A police spokesman said: “Last night (Saturday 21 September) police responded to concerns raised by the public around a car meet. A number of individuals associated with this were reported to be involved in dangerous and anti-social driving, public disorder and violence including an assault on a member of the public, and one driver was arrested for drug driving in Fareham.

“The car meet began at Winchester Park & Ride before the group dispersed and travelled around the county, finally congregating at Southsea seafront shortly after midnight.

“Local officers attended to engage with the group in Southsea, and were met with a hostile crowd of approximately 500 people, including individuals throwing stones at police. However, officers were able to successfully disperse the group safely away from the area to prevent any further escalation.”

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Donna Jones, the police and crime commissioner, criticised the event. In a post on X she said: "These large scale car meets are a total blight on decent people lives. They’re criminal, dangerous & they must STOP".

 

Hampshire Specials in a post on X said: "Our officers attended a large car meet last night at various locations throughout Hampshire. Some attendees committed various driving offences with evidence captured from the air and by officers on the ground. Notice of intended prosecutions will be sent to those involved."

Chief Inspector Marcus Cator said: “We do recognise that not all car enthusiasts who meet up socially are involved in criminal or anti-social behaviour, however there were some individuals last night who demonstrated a clear lack of regard for the safety of not only themselves but other road users and the community at large.

“Our efforts are now ongoing to review CCTV footage and all available evidence to establish the extent of any offences that occurred across the county, and deal with anyone identified as being involved.”

Anyone with information about the car meet, including any video or dash cam footage, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 44240406801.

Alternatively, information can also be submitted through the Hampshire Police website.