Over 100 vehicles gather in Wilmslow for illegal street racing

Officers arrested one man and gave more than 30 tickets to drivers following an illegal car meet, which began in Wilmslow then went Rudheath and Crewe.

Police received 27 calls between 9pm and 10.34pm on Sunday 5th December from concerned residents regarding over 100 driving dangerously, speeding and creating excess noise.

Officers, from the local policing units, the drone unit, roads policing and the police helicopter, worked together to close roads and target ringleaders. Officers are reviewing footage and are intending to prosecute a number of drivers due to their manner of driving.

A 22-year-old man from Leeds was also arrested on suspicion of endangering aircraft and causing danger to road users with his use of a drone. He has since been released under investigation pending further enquires.

Inspector Anton Sullivan from the Roads and Crime Unit said: "These meetings cause a lot of anger and upset in the community, with residents fearing serious harm.

"These enthusiasts are putting themselves and others in serious danger. Frustratingly it's something we witness across the county so we have a no tolerance approach – using a large amount of resources from across the county to bring the incident under control and disperse the cars and crowds.

"We do not seek to spoil enthusiasts' fun. We've got nothing against car enthusiasts wanting to spend time admiring cars, but there is a line that is crossed when vehicles are being driven dangerously at speed or in an anti-social manner; we're protecting them from themselves.

"We will continue to clamp down on this type of reckless behaviour, supporting our local policing units, and will use all our powers to prosecute those involved."


Anyone with footage or pictures of the event, is requested to let the police know via the online reporting function and quote IML 1149233. 

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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Mike O'Rourke
Tuesday 7th December 2021 at 4:37 pm
How are these events arranged? You would think the police could get advance warning of them and literally stop them in their tracks before they start to cause danger and antisocial noise. We need a snout.
Fiona Doorbar
Tuesday 7th December 2021 at 5:35 pm
Social media Mike
I have warned of similar in the past via Facebook messenger to the police but have simply given up now.
I spent 40 minutes on hold (before hanging up) one afternoon in the Summer after the car brigade took it upon themselves to simply park blocking the Ryleys Lane junction causing all manner of danger and chaos
There are several insta and YouTube accounts available
David Smith
Tuesday 7th December 2021 at 7:06 pm
"We do not seek to spoil enthusiasts' fun - ENTHUSIASTS?

What on earth does that mean?
So those involved in this 'pain in the arse' activity - as far as we residents are concerned - are deemed to be having enthusiastic FUN[?] that Inspector Anton Sullivan reluctantly doesn't want to spoil and feels the need to stop it mostly on the basis that they need PROTECTING from each other?

What about the RESIDENTS who might innocently get caught up in all this and have their property damaged, their own cars ruined, suffer injury or have their lives ended - and never mind any damage to police vehicles or the police themselves? It’s all about feeling sorry for the criminals.

I suppose it's perfectly ok because these morons all pay road tax like anyone else so have a RIGHT to use the roads as they wish. If flying a drone too close to the police helicopter is the best offence they can come up with it really does indicate how we as a society have lost our way and anything goes. Too many of us just do what we like, when we like and where we like - and it's ok because that is what they want and know they can getaway with it and hire the services of legal representatives who will see to it that they getaway with it.
Alan Brough
Wednesday 8th December 2021 at 7:46 am
Here is some recent Youtube footage of the "enthusiasts" at play....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5UIwbQVc-g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlicRR-t_0U
David Smith
Wednesday 8th December 2021 at 12:43 pm
Thanks Alan for posting these two clips.
Now, FINALLY will everyone understand once and for all the problem that has invaded our lives in the place where we live? Should YOU - yes YOU, reading these words NOW, still not get it into your thick skull the nature of the problem we are facing I will go over it again. So pay attention!

It is not a problem about SPEED as such. Many of the cars in Alan’s two excellent video clips are travelling at 0mph on the Handforth Dean car park but still singing their ‘anthems’ that interfere with the peace and SAFETY in the place where we live and go about our daily lives. You know - nipping to the shops, taking [hopefully, Covid permitting] the kids to parties in the run-up to Christmas, collecting grandma to come and babysit whilst we nip out for an evening, or taking the dog for a walk. So will all who have contributed to this discussion and thought that it can all be solved by the police just booking them all for going too fast finally wake up and get REAL. I recall once a post claiming that someone was apparently doing 130mph along the A34 [how did they know this?] and so speed was the problem - NO. If the problem is noise then the vehicles must be going very fast to make it - again NO. It has been mentioned that the noise is caused by the road surface and the particular tyres fitted - NO. Councillor Mark Goldsmith stated it was caused by bikers, proof being he had actually observed them when visiting his mother-in-law and also when on holiday in Wales. PLUS, he had actually seen bikers when doing some shopping at Marks & Spencers - so the problem is down to bikers - NO. How many bikes did you see in these two video clips? Please see Councillor Goldsmith’s comment at the link: https://www.wilmslow.co.uk/news/article/21841/public-meeting-to-discuss-a34-issues-re-scheduled
- and after my comment explaining the problem is noise and unrelated to speed or bikes. It is purely caused by cars with tuned up engines and modified EXHAUSTS. The engines might even be adapted or running on special fuel to produce flames out the back [hence the attraction of meetings at night]. Can someone with specific mechanical knowledge add to this and explain a bit more?
If YOU still don’t understand how an exhaust can make such a racket, have a look at the links below to FINALLY educate yourself. I have posted these links several times over the recent past.

From Australia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPv5wATfIF8
From the USA:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPv5wATfIF8
An explanation of a device that can be fitted to an existing exhaust to make a ‘smart’ exhaust - a bit lengthy but great detail can be seen in the following middle section. The last 2 minutes show in detail the ‘smart’ aspect of the exhaust.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oazdw4kLmE
…and another one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zIOAHDnn_s

If you want more videos - just look on the Internet.

This shows what can go wrong - it CAN happen round here too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LidF1gF3YQ
This link shows the sort of moron who is involved - all supported by his ‘girl’ - so don’t think it’s all blokes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1u-p0L45R4

So NOW do you understand?
All these cars are driving within the speed limits. They all have an MoT [if they need one]. They all have insurance. They all have road tax. They are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The cars are all roadworthy [tyres, lights etc. but possibly NOT number plates]. The cars are not stolen. The only way they can perhaps be ‘done’ is by their exhausts being modified in the manners described in the aforementioned videos [that you have watched so know what I am talking about]. I understand that the law states a car must not - now get this - produce more than 74 decibels or so it says somewhere I’ve seen. The truth is however not more than 72db as from 2016 [see below]. It’s also going to get quieter soon too - hooray!
The small print in a motor insurance policy usually states that if a vehicle is modified form the factory standard the insurers must be informed otherwise the policy could be invalid and a claim denied. So if you are not fully comprehensive and involved in an accident with one of these exhaust morons, how are you covered? Think about it.

Here’s a declaration from the Government of the United Kingdom:
https://www.gov.uk/noise-pollution-road-train-plane

Here’s more of the UK government’s plans from 8th June 2019…
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-noise-camera-trial-to-crack-down-on-illegal-vehicles
…so what use has been made of these regulations since? NOTHING!

Here’s what the Essex Police has been up to:
https://www.essex.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/essex/our-policies-and-procedures/roads-policing/h0504-procedure-loud-exhaust-offences.pdf
Why not our police too?

Here’s more information you may not know [it’s off the internet, so YOU don’t have any excuse for not knowing this]
See: https://www.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/fuel-consumption-co2/fuel-consumption-guide/cars-and-noise/#topic-title
‘Cars and Noise
The external noise emitted by passenger cars has been controlled since 1929 when the Motor Cars (Excessive Noise) regulations were introduced. New cars are now required to meet Europe-wide noise limits. These have been progressively reduced from 82 decibels (dB (A)) in 1978 to the current limit of 72 dB (A) established in 2016. Information on the level of noise recorded for new models of cars at their type approval test is also listed in the data table.
When looking at this information please note that off-road vehicles are allowed to be 1dB (A) louder and wheelchair accessible vehicles or armoured vehicles are allowed to be 2 dB (A) louder.
The noise levels quoted above are the maximum levels that are permitted for new vehicle types. Many vehicles produce lower levels of noise, and it is illegal to modify the exhaust system of a vehicle to make it noisier than the level recorded for that model at type approval.
A new EU regulation was introduced from July 2016. Regulation (EU) No 540/2014, phases in tighter noise limits over 10 years, together with a revised, more representative test procedure. By 2026 the limit for most new passenger cars will be 68 dB(A).’

You have to laugh - I mean, why complicate the rules by allowing off-road vehicles to make 1db more noise and wheelchair accessible vehicles and armoured vehicles 2db more noise? You can just see it can’t you? We are at war and one of our tanks is off to fight the Russians but gets pulled over for being 3db louder than the Ford Focus down the road. Sometimes you can’t make it up - but award our politicians some credit for at least giving us the means to have a laugh [at them]!

So what now?
Well, as I see it. All these cars are breaking the law by having modified exhausts that are capable of exceeding the maximum noise allowed by the regulations as expressed in decibels [db] - and ignorance might be bliss but is NO excuse. As things might seem right now an encounter could go like this:
Policeman:
Good evening sir. What a lovely car you have here. How are you today? Everything alright? Oh, I do like your T-shirt, what a lovely shade of white. Nice weather we are having don’t you think? Been anywhere nice on your holidays? Good footy match last night, did you see it?
Moron in a flash motor and loud exhaust with flames coming out the back:
Thank you officer, how very kind. You too do look rather smart in your uniform. What exactly can I help you with?
Policeman:
Well sir, I’m afraid I think your exhaust was sounding a bit too loud back there and could be against the rules, you know.
Moron in a flash motor and loud exhaust with flames coming out the back:
Oh really, what exactly is the limit and how loud was my exhaust?
Policeman:
We’ve had lots of complaints for a few years now and decided to clamp down on this sort of thing. The legal limit is 72 db and I’ve no idea how many decibels you were making but it did sound a bit too noisy to me I’m afraid.
Moron in a flash motor and loud exhaust with flames coming out the back:
In that case officer, I’ll be on my way if that’s ok with you?
Policeman:
Certainly sir, have a nice day.

But in future SHOULD go like this:
Policeman:
Good evening sir. You have been driving your vehicle in contravention of the law by making too much noise and exceeding the maximum permitted decibel limit.
Moron in a flash motor and loud exhaust with flames coming out the back:
Oh really officer - how do you know that?
Policeman:
Well sir. I have recorded your vehicle exhaust noise on my new decibel camera recording device that we have just be equipped with against all the recommendations by Councillor Craig Browne who used to be a big wig round here.
Moron in a flash motor and loud exhaust with flames coming out the back:
Oh really, what exactly is the limit and how loud was my exhaust?
Policeman:
The legal limit is 72 db and you have been recorded as making 92db. I will have to book you and request you take your vehicle to the depot detailed at the bottom of the summons within 14 days to have your exhaust checked to ensure it complies with the regulations.
Moron in a flash motor and loud exhaust with flames coming out the back:
Oh really?
Policeman:
Yes sir. Otherwise I can impound your car here and now and arrange for it to be taken there at your expense. What would you like to do?
Moron in a flash motor and loud exhaust with flames coming out the back:
Ok I’ll er, take it there in er, 13 days.
Policeman:
Very good sir, nice T-shirt by the way, have a nice day.
Moron in a flash motor and loud exhaust with flames coming out the back:
Yeah, you too.
Tony Haluradivth
Wednesday 8th December 2021 at 4:26 pm
Craig Browne please talk to your counterparts in Kensington and Chelsea for their tips on cracking the issue before you go committing ANY of our precious money on traffic calming measures which may turn out to be a terrible waste.(Btw the decibel cameras will be far less disruptive to install and would not entail digging up and closing the road).
Fiona Doorbar
Wednesday 8th December 2021 at 6:41 pm
The cost of said camera is not far off what a large ‘speed table’ cost either
How much is the hump budget?
Installation of acoustic cameras would also generate revenue
Speed humps will not solve the problem we have in this village.
Average speed cameras are required on the A34
Acoustic cameras in and around the village
David Smith
Wednesday 8th December 2021 at 10:14 pm
If installed in the correct manner, perhaps accoustic cameras could be 'portable' and used in some other location if required. They would also then have a 'previously-owned' one careful owner re-sale value.
Not sure what the going rate for a second-hand speed bump might be so probably not the same value for money especially when as Fiona says accoustic cameras earn their keep.
Speed bumps are claimed to raise street pollution levels as well as a bit more noise - which is why they have often been dug up.

https://www.eta.co.uk/2017/08/03/air-pollution-policy-shambles-sees-speed-humps-removed/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/speed-bumps-disappear-uk-roads-air-pollution-government-plan-emissions-councils-remove-a7862811.html

Timed speed cameras AND accoustic cameras required for the A34.
David Hadfield
Thursday 9th December 2021 at 7:49 am
David Smith, many thanks for your informative comments (see above - Weds 8th Dec @ 12.43.hrs) about excessive exhaust noise from some of these high-revving show-off "enthusiastic" morons.
Bit long-winded but very clear examples as to how the police should combat this extremely annoying nonsense from the morons ..... Thank you.
Craig Browne
Thursday 9th December 2021 at 11:42 am
Hi Tony,

Thank you for providing me with an opportunity to offer some further clarity on this.

The proposed traffic calming measures for Alderley Edge were recommended following discussions within the Multi Agency Action Group (MAAG), which comprises officers from Cheshire East Council, Cheshire East Highways and the emergency services. The MAAG concluded that a Public Space Protection Order, which would be required in order for the council to enforce any kind of decibel limit, could not be supported at this time.

The proposed traffic calming measures will be fully-funded though Section 106 monies. These funds are paid by planning applicants to mitigate against any adverse impact accruing from their development (in this case, road and pedestrian safety) and their use is strictly guided by legal agreements. Section 106 funds are not "tax payers" money and they cannot be used to support routine maintenance of the highway.

The Section 106 funds can be spent on traffic calming, because the scheme is consistent with improving road and pedestrian safety through the reduction of speed. Acoustic cameras would not satisfy this requirement, since, as frustrating as the noise from engines and exhausts is, it does not pose a threat to road or pedestrian safety; however, the manner in which some of these vehicles are being driven, does.

It remains within the gift of Cheshire Police to issue Section 59 notice where vehicles are being driven in an inappropriate or antisocial manner. I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Craig
Fiona Doorbar
Thursday 9th December 2021 at 3:34 pm
Excessive traffic noise is Alderleys problem: it is not just annoying; it is a health issue. There is much research done about this and there are many studies written. Institutions like the World Health Organization and the European Union have long been warning and writing reports about the hazards of too much noise and indicated traffic as a prominent source
Tony Haluradivth
Friday 10th December 2021 at 10:14 am
Kensington and Chelsea had this very issue,speeding and engine firing destroying the peace of residents. They installed the decibel cameras and the problems ameliorated almost immediately plus once the Cameras were installed the Met became ruthless at enforcing. When there is joined up thinking and a determination to stamp on this problem IT WORKS. Rumble strips are pointless and merely punish decent law abiding residents and drivers. The noise is appalling... as I said speak to your counterparts at Kand C and push for those cameras. They work!
And if Cheshire Constabulory think they can squeeze another huge hike from council tax payers again this year using one of their rigged surveys stating that folk wish to pay more..I might just go on a one man strike.
Why are they enabling and pandering to these yobs? (They too need to speak to their counterparts in the Met and should buck up their ideas on this).
David Smith
Monday 13th December 2021 at 2:31 pm
Anyone with doubts or still wanting to understand the Kensington & Chelsea acoustic camera trial and successful implementation can hear all about it from Councillor Johnny Thalassites - the Cabinet Member for Planning, Place and the Environment on Kensington and Chelsea Council - at the following link:

https://www.conservativehome.com/localgovernment/2021/09/johnny-thalassites-how-new-technology-will-help-us-defeat-noise-pollution-in-kensington-and-chelsea.html

Still the best long-term solution for ANYWHERE that exhaust noise is a problem.

If it’s the implementation, that you are not so sure about, of a 20mph speed limit down Alderley Edge High Street to protect cyclists & pedestrians check out this impressive, high-tech bit of kit from PARIFEX:

https://www.itsinternational.com/daily-news/its-world-congress-all-access/parifex-gears-multi-violation-control

Also the artist’s impression of a speed cushion for this article suggests the High Street will be narrowed and so restrict the flow of traffic. The bog standard ‘speed cushion’ as described in the link below is ‘old hat’ and rather useless, being just about wide enough for vehicles to straddle it without feeling a thing!

https://tsrgd.co.uk/pdf/tal/1998/tal-1-98.pdf