A continued crackdown on antisocial driving across Tonbridge and Maidstone has seen one driver arrested following a 145mph pursuit.
Following repeated reports of nuisance vehicles and anti-social behaviour, additional patrols have been deployed to known hotspots, including East Peckham and Snodland. Dispersal orders were also in place last weekend, granting officers additional power to move on anyone causing a nuisance, arrest those who return to the area once dispersed, and seize vehicles.
At around 11pm on Friday 25 April, proactive patrols spotted a vehicle suspected to be involved in street racing on the A20 Ashford Road, Hollingbourne, near the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel. The driver failed to stop when instructed and a pursuit ensued.
The vehicle is alleged to have travelled at speeds of more than 140mph along the M20 London bound, before coming to a stop on Dartford Road, Dartford. One man was arrested at the scene and is subject to an ongoing investigation.
Between 12pm on Saturday 19 April and 12pm on Monday 21 April, dispersal orders were enforced across East Peckham, the A228 Snodland bypass, and Leybourne Lakes. The visible police presence proved effective and caused cars to disperse and one driver, a local man in his 20s, was issued a warning after travelling at speed in Leybourne Way.
On Wednesday 30 April, officers monitored a group of 70 motorbikes. Several left the area towards Seven Mile Lane, East Peckham, where one rider was issued a traffic offence report for driving at excessive speed. Further tickets were issued to six other drivers in the area for vehicles with illegal exhausts and number plates, and for overtaking other road users unsafely.
On Saturday 10 May, officers deterred another car meet on the A228 Snodland using dispersal orders and also targeted nuisance vehicles using Maidstone town centre illegally. This led to 77 further tickets and warnings being issued, for offences including a child not being appropriately secured. Officers also seized a vehicle and confiscated a quantity of drugs.
Chief Inspector Mark Stubberfield said:
‘Ongoing enforcement is in place to tackle nuisance drivers following reports from residents from Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling about groups of motorists driving in an antisocial manner, causing excessive noise and in some incidents, a danger to other road users.
‘We will not hesitate to target the small minority who behave irresponsibly and those who persistently cause a nuisance risk having their vehicles seized.
‘We plan to continue our crackdown over the coming weeks.’