Police now have power to seize vehicles after antisocial behaviour at car meets

Police now have the power to seize cars at roundabouts across Rochdale following a rise in anti-social behaviour linked to a number of car meets in the area.

Officers said there have been a ‘large number’ of vehicles meeting at locations in the Rochdale area, including the roundabouts at Stakehill, M627M and Slattocks.

As a result of the events, officers have placed a Section 59 notice on roundabouts in the borough. The order gives police the power to stop and seize vehicles if they are thought to be used in a manner which could cause alarm or distress, or involve careless and inconsiderate driving.

READ MORE: Andy Burnham comes under fire for lack of greenery in city centre... as people say the 'status quo isn't viable'

Cameras are also being fitted in the areas to help proceed with police’s investigation. In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: “Anti-social behaviour will NOT be tolerated. Greater Manchester Police recognise a huge rise in reports relating to "car meet ups".

“These incidents involve a large number of vehicles meeting up at numerous locations such as Stakehill, M627M and Slattocks round about and even vehicles pulling up on hard shoulders of the motorways. Not only are these incidents breaking a number of offences, they also pose a huge risk to other road users.

“We urge anyone involved in these incidents to immediately stop and we remind you that you continue to commit a number of offences.

“We are now working with partner agencies to tackle this issue and will continue to do so. Action has already been taken and a Section 59 notice has been placed on roundabouts around the Rochdale area and cameras continue to be fitted so we can gather further information on these incidents and proceed with a number of investigations.

“If dashcam footage catches any information on the offenders we urge you to send the details in so we can tackle this together. We thank you for continuing to report these issues and would really like to push all incidents to be reported.”

Anyone with information to share can contact GMP via 101 or on their website, or call Crime Stoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Get the latest headlines here

READ MORE:

• Tragedy of boy, 15, found by his mum after he didn't come home from football

• Body of man found at south Manchester water park

• Angry tree surgeon dumps quarter of a ton of trimmings onto lawn after customer 'refused to pay'

• 'Wonderful' mum dies in freak accident celebrating son's 21st birthday

• People having a BBQ caused a huge moorland fire last night as bosses slam 'thoughtless' act