Drivers caught in illegal Wilmslow street race

Cheshire police issued more than 30 tickets to drivers following an illegal car meet in Wilmslow on Sunday evening.

A police spokesman said more than 100 vehicles were seen driving dangerously, speeding and creating excess noise on Sunday evening in both Wilmslow and Northwich.

Officers from local policing forces, the drone unit, roads policing and the force helicopter worked together to close roads and target ringleaders.

Police received more than 27 calls about ‘street racing’ from concerned residents between 9pm and 10.30 pm as cars gathered on the A34 in Wilmslow and A556 bypass in Rudheath.

One woman from Wilmslow said: “It was horrendous. Hundreds of cars were racing up and down the A34 beside our cul-de-sac of terraced cottages.

“Super charged cars were revving up and backfiring. I’ve never heard anything like it. It is like guns going off in your head, it is frightening.”

The 77-year-old resident said a similar street race was held at around 9 pm last Saturday and another one, four weeks ago.

“It is very disturbing,” she said. “One of my neighbours was trying to get home and got caught up in it. She was absolutely terrified.

“It is like little boys with toys, they are showing off but they don’t think of the damage they are doing to other people.

Inspector Anton Sullivan from the Roads and Crime Unit said: “These meetings cause a lot of anger and upset in the community, with residents fearing serious harm.

“These enthusiasts are putting themselves and others in serious danger.

“Frustratingly it’s something we witness across the county so we have a no tolerance approach – using a large amount of resources from across the county to bring the incident under control and disperse the cars and crowds.

“We do not seek to spoil enthusiasts’ fun. We’ve got nothing against car enthusiasts wanting to spend time admiring cars, but there is a line that is crossed when vehicles are being driven dangerously at speed or in an anti-social manner; we’re protecting them from themselves.

“We will continue to clamp down on this type of reckless behaviour, supporting our local policing units, and will use all our powers to prosecute those involved.”

Officers are reviewing footage and intend to prosecute a number of drivers due to their manner of driving.

A 22-year-old man from Leeds was arrested on suspicion of endangering aircraft and causing danger to road users with his use of a drone.

He has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.