VIDEO: Two hours of noisy hell as vehicle meet takes over Stratford car park
“It literally sounded like people were firing guns at each other.”
This was the incensed reaction of a Stratford resident who – like many other homeowners - found themselves subject to “two hours of hell” following an “invasion” of 200 souped-up cars at Stratford Leisure Centre Car Park on Sunday night.
With absolutely no warning to householders, the police or district council, cars poured into the car park from 6pm and decimated the tranquillity of a Sunday evening with two hours of exploding exhausts accompanied by the continuous scream of revving engines which could be heard south of the river on Loxley Road, Banbury Road and Trinity Mead.
Angry residents have described how the motor meet nightmare on Sunday trapped them in their homes because of the excessive and perpetual screaming of engines and rubber on concrete which petrified pets, caused a remorseless wall of noise for parents putting children to bed and callously disturbed nearby care homes.
One Stratford resident who suffered the onslaught on Sunday is Ian Hope who says he’s sick and tired of the unauthorised car meets which have happened previously at the leisure centre car park close to his home.
He told the Herald: “We were subjected to two hours of hell. It literally sounded like people were firing guns at each other, so I called the police,” said Ian. “Even the 999 operator said she could hear the banging noises and assured me the police were on their way. It was very intimidating and when I went to have a look at the gathering most of them were wearing hoodies so you felt afraid to hang around and stare for too long.
At home, my dog was cowering under a blanket between my legs and was ‘crapping’ herself in our living room most of the night. I know families with young babies who said it was difficult getting their children off to sleep. About 200 cars turned up and the drivers just revved and revved their engines or did doughnuts. My neighbour spotted there was an open invite on Facebook at 4pm and by 6pm cars were arriving from Coventry, Bromsgrove, Birmingham and Leamington. We need to get an injunction against these static meets other town have.”
Ian claims the police did not “actually appear” but he was told by one of his one his neighbours they – the police - were monitoring the car meet on CCTV.
Police said officers did attend but there doesn’t appear to be a record of what action was taken on the police record log.
Another neighbour of Ian’s also called police and recounted (in text): “Rang 999 and logged complaint but they said they are very busy!!”
Another neighbour described the major disturbance as “absolutely disgraceful.
Ian Hope said: “This sort of noise has been ongoing for the last six plus years and has included meetings with personnel from SDC all to no avail. As we requested at our last meeting with Stratford District Council: Why can`t we have similar parking controls like those on the Recreation Ground Car Park i.e. an entrance barrier which is locked from 1800 and crocodile teeth on the outbound lane. The crocodile teeth in themselves would be a great deterrent as most of these cars have low slung suspension. My neighbour`s and I would like to arrange a meeting with the council to discuss this ongoing and totally unacceptable situation.”
A spokesperson for Stratford District Council (SDC) said:
"SDC was not aware of the meet that took place prior to it happening. The car park is a public car park which prohibits measures to prevent these cars entering as it would prevent others from using the car park.
"CCTV footage shows that the entrance and exit were clear at all times so no residents were trapped in their own homes at any point and residents would have been able to leave. Staff at the centre contacted police as soon as they became aware of the issues. We appreciate how unpleasant this would have been for residents and fully sympathise. We will work closely with the Police in reviewing this incident and on any action that can prevent similar events taking place in future."
Inspector Ben Hembry of Stratford District said: “When these events had been held in the area in the past we have dealt with them robustly through engagement with organisers and attendees, including the use of official notices under section 59 of the Police Reform Act that gives police the right to seize vehicles that are deemed to be causing alarm, distress or annoyance to the public. We will look to engage with the event organisers again and won’t hesitate to use these powers should these events persist.
“I fully appreciate the annoyance these kinds of events cause to the community and would like to thank members of the public for bringing the event to our attention. Please continue to report any concerns to us; any information provided will mean we are better placed to take action.”
A police spokesperson added: “We did receive several reports, the first one being at 18.17. Officers did attend but it is not clear from the log around any action taken.”
People can report concerns or unauthorised car meetings advertised on social media by going to www.warwickshire.police.uk/report or by calling 101.
Police have also reminded the public about Op Snap. This is where people can upload dash cam or other video footage of potential traffic offences.
Operation Snap | Warwickshire Police
