A DISPERSAL order has been put in place in Nursling ahead of a memorial meet for a man killed in a crash.
Police have today announced that the order has been put in place in Nursling for this coming weekend from June 17 to 19.
Officers say they it comes in response to information received about unauthorised car meets.
The area includes the Nursling Industrial Estate, and it will run from 6pm today until 6pm on Sunday, June 19.
As previously reported by the Daily Echo, a car meet is set to be held this Saturday, June 18, in memory of Harrison Nathan Cross.
The 26-year-old was killed in a crash at the roundabout of Romsey Road on June 7.
Members of the south coast car community have rallied together to remember their friend with a special event.
The location of the meet will be released on the day and attendees are encouraged to “be respectful” and to “stay safe.”
The Daily Echo has asked Hampshire Constabulary to ask if the dispersal order is directly related to the memorial meet and is waiting for a response.
In May, it was reported that 300 to 400 people attended a car meet at Adanac Park in Nursling.
CCTV footage shared with the Daily Echo showed motorists drifting around a lamppost.
The dispersal order gives officers the power to direct a person who has committed, or is likely to commit, anti-social behaviour to leave a specified area and not return for a specified period of up to 48 hours.
Police can also seize any items used in the commission of anti-social behaviour. The power could be extended beyond the 48 hour period.
Inspector Chris Taylor, Test Valley District Inspector, said: “There have been previous incidents of large gatherings of cars meeting in Nursling. Street racing, damage to road surfaces, noise and dangerous driving has been reported causing harassment, alarm and distress to local residents.
“Our officers will continue to have an increased presence across hotspot areas in Nursling to deter events such as these large-scale car meets from taking place.
"If we encounter these events, we will do our utmost to educate those in attendance and take robust enforcement action where necessary.”
“Our operation is not aimed at people meeting in their cars peacefully, simply those disrupting local communities and acting in an anti-social manner.”
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