Crackdown on anti-social driving in Wilmslow

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire John Dwyer praised the work of Cheshire officers as they cracked down on anti-social driving in Wilmslow over last weekend.

On Sunday 5 December 2021, 27 calls were received by Cheshire Police between the hours of 9pm and 10.34pm, reporting over 100 vehicles driving dangerously, speeding and creating excess noise in Wilmslow.

The anti-social convoy proceeded to leave Wilmslow and headed towards Rudheath and Crewe, where officers from the Roads Policing Unit, Local Policing Teams, the Drone Unit and Police Helicopter worked together to close roads and target ring-leaders.

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “One of the priorities in my Police and Crime Plan is to make Cheshire’s Roads Safer. This type of behaviour is unacceptable and causes distress to local communities who shouldn’t have to put up with the noise and aggression.

These concerns were shared with me when I held a public meeting in Wilmslow in September relating to issues on the A34, and I’m glad that the way the Constabulary dealt with this incident shows that it won’t be tolerated here in Cheshire. Action promised. Action taken.”

Following the incident, one man from Leeds was arrested on suspicion of endangering aircraft and causing danger to road users with the use of his drone.

Cheshire Police are currently reviewing footage captured from the evening and are intending to prosecute a number of drivers due to their manner of driving.

Inspector Anton Sullivan from the Roads and Crime Unit, said: “These meetings can cause a lot of anger and upset in the community, with residents fearing serious harm.

“These enthusiasts are putting themselves and others in serious danger. Frustratingly it’s something we witness across the county so we have a no tolerance approach – using a large amount of resources from across the county to bring the incident under control and disperse the cars and crowds.

“We do not seek to spoil enthusiasts’ fun. We’ve got nothing against car enthusiasts wanting to spend time admiring cars, but there is a line that is crossed when vehicles are being driven dangerously or in an anti-social manner; we’re protecting them from themselves.

“We will continue to clamp down on this type of reckless behaviour, supporting our local policing units, and will use all our powers to prosecute those involved.”

John Dwyer added: “I want to thank the public who called the police to let them know what was happening and it’s a relief that the night didn’t take a turn for the worse. My thanks go to all of the officers and Cheshire Constabulary staff who were involved to bring this incident to a calm close.”