Police have issued a warning to “boy racer” car enthusiasts ahead of a planned meeting at Gallagher Retail Park, Crossways, Caerphilly.
Posting on its Facebook page, Gwent Police said: “Officers in Caerphilly are aware of a gathering of car enthusiasts planned to take place in Gallagher Retail Park on Friday January 29.
“Police have previously received complaints about vehicles congregating in this area. Please be reminded that any antisocial driving, noise nuisance or antisocial behaviour can affect local businesses and residents living nearby, and will not be tolerated.
“Officers will be patrolling all car parks and working closely with retailers to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum and any antisocial behaviour is dealt with robustly.”
However, one car enthusiast hit back at the force.
Carl Dyer, posting on the Gwent Police Facebook page, said: “We don’t meet to be a nuisance or cause disturbance. The genuine car enthusiasts are there to appreciate other people’s efforts and also show-off their hard work on their own vehicles.
“Granted one or two people show up and decide to show-off, spoiling it for the genuine people, 95% of the people I meet at events and club meets do not want to be associated with these people. Like I said, a select few that spoil it for everyone else.”
Morgan Jones ward councillor James Pritchard said residents have fought hard to tackle the boy racer problem and would be furious if the proposed event went ahead.
He said: “After sustained pressure from residents and councillors, the B&Q store on the retail park have agreed to construct a barrier in their grounds over the next six weeks to tackle the boy racer problem.
“We remain 100% committed to addressing this problem and I back Gwent Police’s swift response.”
Sadly like many things in life there is always a mindless few who ruin it for the majority, idiots in tatty old Corsas regularly meet late at night in the lane behind where I live to race up and down like morons but the police aren’t doing anything about them.
I did this as a young man. Burn outs, doughnuts and dangerous racing. Had many a crash but was lucky to come away unscathed, many have not.