Tesco Elmers End Antisocial Driving Issues

Good Afternoon all, 

Following on from the previous information relating to the drifters in Tesco, Elmers End. There was another meet on Saturday night/Sunday Morning. To be realistic and honest, given the vehicles have been attending for a long period of time unchallenged and with no measures in place, this was to be expected. This being said, as previously mentioned, by working with Tesco to put temporary measures in place, the cars did not gain access to the car park. There was a temporary barrier across the road denying access. Also, with an early alert to police by a member of the public who spotted a potential meet before it started (thank you to that person), police were also able to attend in time. So, although we’re saying that a car meet took place, due to the interventions put in place, the cars arrived around 00:25 after the car park was closed and all cars were gone by 00:50. This was less than 25 minutes. I personally feel that this is a positive step forwards and will hopefully now set the tone for these drivers that they’re not welcome. To give you an update for this week, Tesco have now installed their “Dalek” cameras as mentioned in the last communication (picture below).  A data protection request has also been submitted to Horizon who manage the car park to try and obtain details of vehicles who may have been in attendance previously. We have manage to obtain some registrations from those who attended this week, again, thanks to a member of the public so we will be writing to them to alert them of the potential ramifications of their behaviour. Unfortunately there isn’t any evidence to lead to enforcement but hopefully them now knowing they’re on the police radar may be a deterrent. We have also been in contact with the industrial estates across the road and behind to ensure we work with them as well so we don’t just push the issue across the road.

While we would like to take the positives from this weekend, the work isn’t done and we will still persevere for a permanent solution and I would like to remind you that this is not a problem that is solved in isolation as proved this weekend gone as it was thanks to Tesco and the community working with the police. 

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Thank You,