Car cruisers can now be hit with £90 on-spot fine
NEW powers to crack down on ‘reckless, dangerous and anti-social’ car cruising with on-the-spot £90 fines have been given the green light in Stockport.
Council chiefs have introduced a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which means police and council officers can issue fines to anyone deemed to be car cruising in the borough. Financial penalties can also be imposed at court to a maximum of £1,000.
Stockport council carried out a public consultation on the issue, prompted by complaints from residents about the events which can involve more than 200 vehicles.
The town hall received 162 responses from the public. However, 79 per cent thought that car cruising was not a problem, and 77pc opposed the use of the PSPO. Cruising is defined under the order as ‘attending any meeting of two or more vehicles in a public space either as a vehicle owner, driver, passenger or spectator and engaging in any activity that a reasonable person would consider car cruising.’
Those opposed to the order said the council should engage with organisers to find a location where the events could take place safely, that dangerous driving and antisocial behaviour are limited to a few individuals, and that the wording of the order is too vague.
But a report recommending the introduction of the PSPO states: “Given the risks associated with dangerous driving and nuisance behaviour, it is difficult to envisage a situation where the authority would grant permission.”
Car cruises have operated in Stockport for a number of years, mainly at the Heaton Lane and Newbridge Lane car parks, and council chiefs say the organisers have no permission or authorisation.
Coun Sheila Bailey said: “Car parks should be available for residents and businesses to use without having to deal with the dangerous and anti-social activities currently taking place.”
Car cruiser Stephen Stringfellow, who opposes the PSPO, said: “The GMP in the last four weeks have been active and visible in Stockport which has successfully deterred anti-social behaviour, thus showing that existing legislation combined with appropriate levels of policing nullifies the requirement of an arbitrary PSPO.
“’Car Cruising’ is a globally recognised social phenomena which is extremely popular in all age groups, representing all guises of the passion for cars, vans, bikes, new, old, expensive, cheap, fast, slow, big and low.”