Hundreds of warnings have been sent to antisocial motorists seen street racing or at unregistered car meets as Nottinghamshire Police continues to crack down on drivers posing a risk to public safety.
The force launched Operation Wheelspin in October 2024 as part of a coordinated county-wide response to car cruising.
This can include drivers gathering to race at high speeds, perform risky stunts, or engage in antisocial behaviours such as loud engine revving or setting off fireworks.
Now, 295 warning letters have been issued to motorists who have been witnessed by officers either actively street racing, participating in antisocial behaviour, or attending unregistered car meets.
This is in addition to robust enforcement action where drivers may be arrested for various traffic offences, such as dangerous driving, or have their vehicles seized.
The number plates of more than 1,500 vehicles have been recorded on a bespoke database, allowing for the identification of individuals responsible and enabling their offences and behaviour to be easily tracked.
Officers have also issued 48 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs), 55 Section 59 warning notices, and seized eight high-performance cars.
TORs cover a wide range of motoring offences, such as driving without a seatbelt or with worn tyres and can result in a fine or penalty points on a driving licence.
A Section 59 warning notice places Police National Computer markers on vehicles and individuals, meaning that any similar behaviour in the next 12 months can lead to prosecution and vehicles being seized.
One motorist who received a warning letter was witnessed racing and undertaking other vehicles by officers at Junction 27 of the M1 at around 12:20am in March.
Once officers caught up with the 22-year-old driver, his Volkswagen Golf was stopped, and he was issued a TOR for driving without due care and attention.
During the stop, it was discovered that the driver had an existing Section 59 warning notice, and so his vehicle was seized.
Whilst cruising itself is not illegal, many of the drivers involved often carry out dangerous driving and other illegal stunts, which create a significant risk to members of the public.
This behaviour also has an impact on other road users and residents in a given area, who have reported feeling alarmed and distressed.
The registered keepers of vehicles who receive these letters are being reminded that driving without due care and attention and dangerous driving are criminal offences and that Nottinghamshire Police will prosecute individuals who fall foul of the law.
If they are caught street racing, attending unlicensed car meets, or committing any other relevant road traffic offence, officers will consider all available options – which could include a criminal behaviour order, a Section 59 notice, arrest, vehicle seizures, or a fine.
Another motorist was caught speeding and excessively accelerating and revving the engine of his black Volkswagen Golf at around 9pm at Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield in April.
He was issued a TOR for driving without due care and attention and a Section 59 notice, meaning his vehicle will be seized if he is caught again.
Hotspots for unlicensed car meets include Daleside Road in Nottingham, the A57 in Worksop, and Junction 27 of the M1 in Annesley.
Officers also witnessed a blue Ford Focus RS driving antisocially between a tram park and ride in Bulwell to Daleside Road near Sneinton at around 9.15pm in June.
The driver, also aged 22, was seen accelerating harshly, speeding, revving his engine, and undertaking and tailgating other vehicles.
He was issued a TOR for driving without due care and attention and a Section 59 notice.
Sergeant Emily Hewitt, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are determined to help prevent further serious or fatal road traffic collisions on Nottinghamshire roads.
“Stunts, collisions, and excessive speed by often young and inexperienced drivers can result in life-changing injuries and fatalities on our roads.
“We have issued almost 300 warning letters so far to motorists whose behaviour and driving fell well below the standard of a careful and competent driver.
“Racing, tailgating, driving at high speeds, causing an exhaust to ‘pop or bang’, or generally driving in a manner that would cause alarm, distress, or annoyance is not acceptable.
“Our message is clear: Nottinghamshire is not a personal racetrack and as a force we will continue to disrupt antisocial motorists and act on the concerns of residents.”
