PSPO on organised dangerous driving in West Northamptonshire

Overview

We, along with the Police, Fire, and other Community Safety Partners, are looking at ways to combat organised dangerous driving in West Northamptonshire.

As part of this, we are considering the use of Public Space Protection Order (or PSPO), and want to hear from you about it.

Take me to the survey

Background

Organised dangerous driving, otherwise called car cruising, involves groups of vehicles, often cars, gathering to engage in activities that cause a danger or nuisance to themselves and the public.

Examples of Car Cruising Examples of Car Cruising

Some of the anti-social behaviours that linked to car cruising include:

Speeding or racing: Causing danger to road users or risking property damage.
Performing stunts: donuts, hand break turns, drifting.
Driving in convoy or obstructing public spaces: Blocking highways or public places, whether moving or stationary.
Excessive noise: Repeatedly sounding horns or playing loud music.
Abusive behaviour: Using foul language or threatening and intimidating others.
Promoting car cruising: Organising or publicising car cruising via email, internet, social media, or other means.

Car Cruising usually takes place on roads, and sometimes other public spaces such as car parks, and fields, and cause danger and disruption. The impact on roads is particularly concerning as it can pose challenges for blue light services in terms of response times, safety, and resource management. Meets can attract over a hundred vehicles and several hundred spectators which creates a major issue for regular road users.

The proposal

The proposal is to make a PSPO. This will allow us and our partners to place restrictions on the use of roads in West Northamptonshire by providing powers to prohibit car cruising, illegal car meets and other unauthorised promotion or events.

More about PSPOs More about PSPOs

A PSPO can deal with continued and unreasonable nuisances and anti-social behaviour that poses risks to people and affects the quality of life for the local community in a particular area. They help make sure people can use and enjoy public spaces, therefore helping to make West Northamptonshire a better and safer place to live.

Specifically, this PSPO will forbid the following activities in West Northants:

Take part in car cruising, either as a driver or passenger.
Gather to watch car cruising in the area.

We encourage you to view the Draft West Northamptonshire Council (Car Cruising) Public Spaces Protection Order 2025

There is a legal requirement to have evidence demonstrating the need for PSPOs to be adopted. We are therefore using this consultation to gather views and information, while ensuring transparency and addressing any concerns. In short, this will allow us to understand how people are affected by car cruising, where the activities are having, or are likely to have, a persistent and unreasonable negative impact on the quality of life in the area.

How to provide your views

You can provide your views by completing the online survey using the link below ‘Have your say’. Take me to the survey

You do not have to give your name or personal information in this survey.

If you need a copy of this survey in another format you can contact by email at: communitysafety@westnorthants.gov.uk

Please complete this survey before midnight on Tuesday 18 February 2025.

For information about how your responses are managed please see the Consultation and Engagement Privacy Notice.

What happens next

All feedback will be reviewed along with those of Northants Police and Northants Fire and Rescue Service. A decision whether to proceed with the process to make a PSPO will then be made through Cabinet. If we do proceed, then a draft PSPO will be prepared and advertised.

Thank you for helping us by completing this consultation.

Have your say

Interests

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)
Community, safety and emergencies

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