Council gives Green Light to Car Meet PSPO

• Council backs Public Space Protection Order for Pimbo
• Public consultation shows concern of residents
• PSPO will now tackle significant issues presented by disruptive meets

Following, a six-week statutory public consultation, a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to deter organised car meets on Pimbo Industrial Estate in Up Holland has been unanimously backed by Councillors.

West Lancashire has seen a significant increase in pre-arranged car meets at Pimbo Industrial Estate, often with over 300 vehicles in attendance. These car meets are arranged in secret, online and happen without prior warning, making them difficult to pre-empt and police.  The use of PSPOs is considered to be the best way of preventing future problems locally and has been adopted as best practice in other local authorities where similar problems exist.

Skelmersdale Police has provided evidence to support the application for a PSPO which will give Police Officers the power to act quickly to stop the gatherings of car cruisers and racers who are causing, or likely to cause, nuisance, alarm or distress to local residents and businesses.

Councillor Gareth Dowling, Deputy Leader of the Council and portfolio holder for Communities and Community Safety, said: " I'm very pleased on behalf of all the residents and businesses affected by this issue to see the PSPO come into force.

"The feedback we received from the public consultation overwhelmingly approved this action and confirmed the strength of feeling residents have about the gatherings. The Council sought to take decisive action over these unauthorised meetings – the time has now come to put a stop to them.

"Residents and businesses have endured the significant impacts these gatherings of performance cars have had and we hope this news will bring them some relief.

"Thank you to our partners in Lancashire Constabulary who have been met with hostility by 'racegoers' using our Borough as a dangerous racetrack. We will continue to work together to see these car meets stopped for good."

Chief Inspector Chris Abbott of West Lancashire Neighbourhood Police added: "We have listened to feedback from residents on how they feel about these gatherings and are committed to working with our partners to combat matters of this nature. Car meets such as these can significantly impact people’s quality of life, cause distress to residents often to the point where they don’t feel safe in the area they live. 

"Tackling nuisance such as this is a priority and following the implementation of this PSPO we will ensure action is taken and continue to reassure members of the public."    

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) are designed to stop individuals or groups committing criminal and / or anti-social behaviour in public places. Enforcement action can be taken by, Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers and authorised Council Officers.

This order will prevent excessive noise, danger to road users and pedestrians, risk of damage to private property, litter and any nuisance caused to any other person.