Essex Police have shut down a massive illegal car meet involving up to 450 cars that initially gathered in Chelmsford before moving to Thurrock. The underground event caused significant disruption on local roads before police intervened to disperse the crowds and end the dangerous gathering.
The car meet began in the Sainsbury’s car park in Chelmsford and later shifted to Manorway in Thurrock. Local officers, road policing units, and the Operational Support Group were all deployed to break up the event. The crowd dispersed just before midnight but returned in the early hours to another location in Chelmsford, where police stopped the gathering once again.
During the crackdown, one person was arrested on the spot. Additionally, 22 attendees were fined with penalty points for offences including speeding and careless driving. Several others received formal warnings, with police warning that vehicles may be seized if dangerous behaviour continues.
Chief Inspector Richard Melton, Thurrock’s District Commander, highlighted the serious risks posed by such events. He said, “These events pose a danger to the public with some drivers acting recklessly. Only a few years ago, a young woman lost part of her leg after being hit during an illegal meet. We took rapid action and thanks to extra resources, managed to handle the huge number of vehicles without injury.”
Melton also noted that the meet breached government COVID-19 regulations, describing it as a “clear and blatant breach.”
Essex Police are working closely with Thurrock Council to prevent future illegal meets. New public space protection orders (PSPOs) have been introduced to give officers additional powers to break up such gatherings and keep roads safe. Chief Inspector Melton added, “We will continue to work with partners to prevent these dangerous events and protect our communities.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
