Kentish Express Ashford & District
Officers take action after drivers organise gathering
Police had to intervene when a group of car enthusiasts organised a meet-up in a town centre car park.
Friday’s event was planned for Dover Place near Ashford International station but a dispersal order was successfully implemented.
Police and council officers attended the car park at 5pm, moving on a group of people and their vehicles.
The gathering was scheduled to take place just three days after a BMW was seized when a driver was spotted doing donuts in the same car park.
Regarding Friday’s effort, Inspector Jason Atkinson said: “We acted in partnership with Ashford Borough Council over concerns the event could lead to crime and disorder.
“I am pleased that our quick, combined actions prevented any disorder from taking place in the town and we will look to take similar steps should any such events be brought to our attention in future.”
An Ashford Borough Council spokeswoman hailed the “proactive response” to the event, saying: “In the last year there has been a reduction of 3.7% crimes within the borough.
“There has been an small increase in reported anti-social behaviour (ASB) but this is in line with a countywide trend - Ashford remains the fourth lowest borough in relation to the number of reported ASB incidents.
“If anyone would like to report ASB in our borough they can do so via the police’s non-emergency line on 101 or they can also let us know via our app or website.”