Police stage cruiser operation
Dozens of cruisers had their modified cars stopped and checked as part of a police crackdown.
Officers launched the large scale operation to monitor cruisers on Cheltenham’s ring road and at Kingsditch Retail Park in Swindon Village.
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Police are engaging with cruisers
The two sites are regular haunts for the enthusiasts who congregate on Sunday evenings to show off their vehicles.
Dubbed Operation Locust, the move came after residents complained that the cruisers were racing at high speeds and driving dangerously, performing doughnuts and wheel spins.
Sergeant Paul Simmons, of Hester’s Way Safer Community Team, said the operation was aimed at ensuring the cruisers abided by the law.
“We were not trying to displace the cruisers,” he said.
“They have been coming to Kingsditch and the town centre ring road for years.
“It was about getting out there, engaging with them, doing thorough checks on their vehicles and taking action where necessary.
“We are not trying to stop them from doing their hobby but we do need to check they are doing it legally and safely.”
Six drivers were handed fixed penalty notices for speeding, four for having defects to their vehicles and one for having illegal lights.
Five vehicles were also searched for drugs after they were identified as suspicious by sniffer dogs. Two people were issued with warnings for the possession of cannabis.
Mr Simmons added: “The vast majority of people we spoke to were pleasant, law-abiding citizens who are just doing something which interests them.
“But it was good to provide a high visibility presence, sending out a strong message that, while we are not trying to stop them, driving dangerously or behaving in an anti-social manner will not be tolerated.”
The operation was supported by specials – volunteer police who teamed up with their full-time colleagues as part of National Specials Weekend.
Specials chief officer Huw Jones said: “We provide vital assistance in situations such as this, increasing police visibility on the ground and adding weight to the operation.”
Cheltenham Borough Council representatives were on hand to deal with civil offences such as littering and excessive noise levels.
Denise Powell, environmental protection officer at the council, said: “We are there to work hand-in-hand with the police.
“Littering and noise caused by the cruisers have been identified as problems in the past, but there are steps we can take to counter them. Taking down registration numbers of anyone causing a disturbance can lead to fines of up to £5,000 and we can also issue fixed penalty notices for littering.”
Cruiser Haze Kedward, 27, from Springbank in Cheltenham, said the increased police presence was to be welcomed.
“We don’t mind the police coming down,” she said.
“They have a job to do and if anyone is driving recklessly or illegally then they have got to do something about it.”
85 Comments
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by raj bartat, Gloucester
Thursday, February 11 2010, 3:43PM
“'ME' of cheltenham.so now your defending 'scooby doo' why dont u ask if you can join their sad little cru you brown nose mug”
by Me, Cheltenham
Thursday, February 11 2010, 2:52PM
“raj bartat, Gloucester - Sounds like you go with flow (like sheep I suppose). Kimberley sticks up for the underdog. I wonder which is more honourable?”
by scooby doo, whaddon
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 9:12PM
“im in da impreza cru we is da best ,we aint no chavs we just luvs us mint cars. i aint bovered what you rep mobiles say u is jelus”
by raj bartat, Gloucester
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 8:32PM
“KIMBERLEY
your defending losers,your reputation precedes you”
by Kimberly, stroud
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 2:32PM
“Time and time again there are articles on here about cruisers and you all have arguements about cruisers being losers etc!
The real cruisers are interested in putting big amounts of money into their cars gather on sundays to talk about their projects and take pride in them. - some people may say get a life but its a hobby, im sure you boring lot collect stamps for a living at one time or another!
As for people saying that cruisers work in macdonalds or don't have jobs at all is pathetic and you need your head banging against the wall! How do you think cruisers pay for their mods or even petrol??
My partner is a mechanic and earns 25k a year, he works hard and he spends money on his Nissan GTR R33 - allas not a nova or a pug 106!! a proper car thats worth investing in as its nearly 12 yrs old and will still fetch him up to 15k if he was to sell it!
We rarely go to the cruise now as their are idiots down there who like to crash and drift in limited space and its not safe. The police are right to be there and we have often stood and spoken to the police who are interested in cruisers cars - we never have a problem talking to police - their only doing their job, but until a safe spot is found by cruisers they will always be there every week as not all cruisers can afford track days! - and before someone mentions - i don't think the cheltenham ring road should be used as a track either!!
And another point - my partner has told his insurance company about every mod he has - hence why insurance is 3k a year! and he mods the engine for performance he doesn't spend stupid amounts on spoilers or to make it look pretty!
Arguement over - get a life people!”
by DG, Cheltenham
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 1:08PM
“Hope the Police checked that the insurance of these vehicles was covered for any modifications made to them, or it is God help any other innocent driver or pedestrian involved in an accident with them, as the insurance company will not want to know anything about it, let alone pay out!”
by Tim Barrington-Philips, Chedworth
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 10:35AM
“kathleen green, gloucester, you're so right! Obviously some big noise lives on the circuit, and his/her buddy, the police chief, has had their ear bent at some sort of gathering, freemasons, probably.
These same people, themselves never break the law, driving at 29 mph round town etc etc, they never eat while driving or use the mobile.
What they are guilty of, however, is gross hypocrisy.
VW Bora, Gloucester, nice one, and the car, quality German brand, and as said, bang on the money.
Big ron, cheltenham, you really need to look at everything. You never speed?... course you do, we ALL do. You never use a mobile?... course you do, Gloucestershire is one of the worst counties for it. You never eat while driving?... course you do, we all like a nibble on the move. So just step back, look at the idiots that also hang out with the real cruisers, and like they want, get them banned, cars crushed etc, 'cos the real cruisers have broken no laws whatsoever.
Takeaway, Cheltenham, like it. Irony is so obviously your strong point... but he just doesn't get it, so you'll have to stop being so hilarious and spell it out in words of one syllable.... could take a while!”
by Neil, Cheltenham
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 9:07AM
“Big ron why not squirt them with a super soaker full of brake fluid as the drive by attheir usual high speed. ;-)”
by killjoy, cheltenham
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 5:18AM
“Sgt Paul Simmonds needs to show this kind of attitude towards drug dealers, Johnsons etc etc as well as some poncy car drivers who by the way are????”
by Big Baby, Dymock
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 11:52PM
“Im really annoyed by this, I mean were actually employing someone called an "Environmental Protection Officer"..? Why?
Couldnt all the police officers and the specials and the sniffer dogs all cope?
Can we track this person down in the morning and fire them please. Thank you.”