“Illegal street racing and antisocial driving will not be tolerated”
That’s the message from Nottinghamshire Police as a targeted operation continues to crackdown on dangerous motorists in Worksop.
The force launched Operation Wheelspin in October 2024 as part of a co-ordinated county-wide response to car cruising, which can involve drivers meeting to race at high speeds, performing reckless stunts, or other antisocial behaviour, such as setting off flares and fireworks.
New data reveals that offences have decreased across Notts by 20 per cent since the operation was launched.
Hotspots for unlicensed car meets, which cause road safety, antisocial behaviour, and noise concerns, include the A57 in Worksop.
Officers from the force’s neighbourhoods and roads policing unit are out each week patrolling these areas and the wider road network across Nottinghamshire.
Positive action has so far been taken against 181 drivers, which can include seizing vehicles, reporting motorists for court summons, or issuing traffic offence reports and Section 59 notices.
Traffic offence reports cover a wide range of motoring offences such as driving without a seatbelt or with worn tyres and can result in a fine or driving licence points.
A Section 59 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.
In total, the licence plates of 1,401 motorists seen racing or at car meets have been recorded by officers to improve the force’s intelligence picture and identify drivers who participate in future antisocial driving.
They risk prosecution and having their vehicles seized if their behaviour continues.
PC Abigail Green, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Nottinghamshire is not a personal racetrack and we have a zero-tolerance approach to antisocial driving.
“Stunts, collisions, and excessive speed by often young and inexperienced drivers can result in life-changing injuries and fatalities on our roads.
“Our robust response sends a clear message that motorists from across the county and wider region who travel here to race will be prosecuted.
“Innocent members of the public are on occasion left to pick up pieces from collisions and costly insurance claims. We will continue proactively patrolling our neighbourhoods and road network to keep communities safe.
“Our county-wide response removes nuisance drivers from the roads and makes Nottinghamshire a hostile and undesirable racing location.
“I would encourage car enthusiasts who enjoy driving to ensure they do this safely and legally at approved sites.”
