Police handling of big gathering is criticised

A WOMAN who spotted hundreds of car enthusiasts gathering in a car park has criticised the police’s handling of the incident.

Karen Tillstone was driving past Thurmaston shopping centre car park when she saw “at least 300 people”.

She said she and her brother watched as a police officer arrived, joked with the people and inspected one of the cars while the owner revved the engine.

The incident happened on Tuesday before the national lockdown began.

Karen said none of the youngsters were wearing masks or keeping their distance from one another.

Karen, 51, of Bushby, said her brother rang the police to complain the officer who attended was doing nothing to disperse the crowd.

Police said the “vast majority” of the cars did disperse “shortly afterwards”.

Karen said: “I’ve never seen anything like it before – so many youngsters with their cars on the car park between McDonald’s and Pizza Hut.

“There must have been at least 300 people, all in groups and huddled together looking at each other’s cars.”

A police spokeswoman said: “We were called at 8.30pm on Tuesday to a report of anti-social behaviour involving a large number of people gathered in cars in Thurmaston.

“Officers attended the location, a privately-owned car park in Barkby Thorpe Lane, and spoke to a group of people, giving advice on social distancing.

“Officers remained in the area and the vast majority of the vehicles dispersed shortly afterwards.

“It was concluded no criminal offences had been committed.”