Right, You might not know whats happening, but Lawrie Lewis of the Avon and Somerset police is waging a one man war againt cruisers on his patch. There was a cruise over the Bank holiday and 16 or so people were arrested and their vehicles were seized. Here is the latest update, nicked from another board.
Update on Police Investigation re unauthorised cruise Easter Sunday
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Our investigation into the events of the 31st March continues with a team of officers dedicated to amassing all available evidence.

Having obtained a considerable number of witness statements we have already made two further arrests and seized the vehicles involved as evidence. One of those arrests was outside of this force area. More arrests will occur in the forthcoming weeks. All people arrested have now been released on bail pending any further evidence coming to light from our on-going enquiries. Vehicles have not been released to the owners.

Our investigation should serve as a clear warning that we are not only prepared and capable of taking positive action whilst an event is in progress but we will also follow up on evidence and make arrests at a later time.

Our nuisance vehicle database now has some 700 vehicles entered onto it and has already been shared with police colleagues beyond Avon and Somerset. Those who have recieved a notice from Avon and Somerset at either of the unauthorised cruises on the 27th May 2001 or 31st April 2002 are now included on that database. The database is one of a number of factors that may support the grounds for the police making an arrest at an unauthorised cruise. If you are not on the database it does not mean you do not run the risk of arrest but it does increase the chances if you are.

I reiterate the stance we take with regards to unauthorised cruises in Avon and Somerset;

The Avon and Somerset Constabulary covers an area that can be broadly recognised as stretching from just North of the M4, West as far as the Severn Bridges, East as far as the City of Bath and then South just beyond the towns of Yeovil and Taunton.

In the experience of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary unauthorised cruises have caused extensive distress, danger and nuisance to the general public and landowners who, because of the activity of ‘Cruisers’, have been prevented from enjoying the common rights of all citizens.

Our position with regards to unauthorised cruises is that we will not encourage, authorise or condone such activity and we will act in a positive and proactive fashion to prevent them. Action we will consider taking (and have already taken) includes;

Arresting those organising, encouraging others to or actually taking part in ‘cruises’ for the offences of causing or conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. This is a serious offence that can bring with it a term of imprisonment.

Seizing vehicles, mobile phones and computers used for posting messages as evidence of the offence.

Upon conviction we will request the Court exercise their power to make a forfeiture or destruction order in respect of the evidence we have seized and retained.

We are however receptive to the genuine needs of people who share a common interest and wish to assemble together to share that interest which, in this instance, are cars and in-car entertainment systems. The Constabulary emphasises its commitment to working with responsible organisers who wish to arrange properly sanctioned events off the highway and away from public and retail centre car parks. The next sanctioned event in Avon and Somerset is proposed for the 25th August 2002.

Lawrie Lewis,
Superintendent,
Road Policing Unit,
Avon and Somerset Constabulary

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Its a bit harsh innit? what I want to know from the legal seagulls is exactly what sort of crime am I commiting by being sat in a carpark in my car with another 300 cruisers, even though I am minding my own business?
More to the point, What would the liklyhood of the CPS going ahead with a case like that if that is all I was doing?
I havent been arrested, but if anyone has an answer for me then please enlighten me. Whatever you think about cruising, please dont reply with pointless attacks, cos the next time there is a meet in Bath and a load of scooby get carted off, well, it doesent bare thinking about does it?
Cheers in advance,
astraboy.

 

I sure most of you are happy with action like that but to me it seems like they are just bullying boy racers by taking their cars for evidence releasing the baseball cap wearer then keeping the car for as long as possable for punishment. They can get away with that with kids but personally I'd be phoning a lawyer straight away. (mind you I wouldn't have been at the cruise in the first place never have never will Ok I went once but only stayed for five minutes and i was just experimenting I was young you have to try things)

the nusance list sounds like a 'we are going to harass whoever owns that car for the rest of its days list '
Another example of quality police work. Every generation has its movements hippies Mods and rockers new romantics etc frankly as they go don't think this one is too bad. There is nothing better than a 1.1 nova on sevetneens

 

Were the seized cars just sitting around?

 

If you not doing anything, then surely they cant just arrest you and take away your car...

Thats bang out of order..

 

From my experience last year I would imagine the cops are more concerned aboit the behaviour of the drivers whilst travelling to and from their destination.

I myself was driving along the M4 last year when I came across a load of these young guys heading towards a cruise. Their behaviour was beyond belief.

They were break testing cars in the overtaking lane of the motorway,then driving along in all 3 lanes at 30 mph all having a laugh and a giggle. Some would then break away and start swerving all over the road causing an obstruction to everyone else that was there. They were also hanging out of the windows screaming at other cars.This went on for the 20 miles that I was on the M4. They then turned off to a B&Q warehouse car park.

The cars consisted of the usual Nova,Saxo, RS brigade. All of course were wearing the compulsory cap.

I was saddened to see amongst this lot a new P1. Apparently a demo from Swansea subaru.

Now dont get me wrong I have no objection at all to these cruises, in fact I will prob go along one day to see what happens.

What I do object to is the nmindless behaviour that I saw by people going to the cruise on public roads.

All I'm saying is if you want the public on your side then dont behave like a tosser on the roads. By all means do whatever on pivate land but not on public highway.

In case you wonder why I was with this bunch for twenty odd miles its cos I was driving a truck.

Rant Over

Chip.

 

<Were the seized cars just sitting around? >
Registrations were taken from last years cruise. If the same car was there last bank holiday it was impounded and the owner arrested whatever it was doing. The carpark was sealed off and everyone was kept there for three hours. Then they were released one by one and that was when the arrests were made. IIRC
astraboy.

 

Sounds a bit strong IMO

Your always going to get a minorty who pi$$ about and cause trouble, but its a bit drastic by confiscating peoples cars whose sole intentions are just to watch and have a good time. It seems your automatically guilty by association by their reckoning...It sounds like the Police there need a reality check

Nath

 

bang them all up "McDonalds" eating muppets.

 

hmmm. Funny you should post this as I read it this morning on Cruisecentral.co.uk. I did type a reply but it didn't show up.

Seems the police think the best way to discourage illegal cruises is to hold a sanctioned event 4 months away. Yeah sure we'll all wait!!!
Secondly the best way ITO to get the cruisers on there side, is to impound, seize and confiscate the very items we care about so much.
And thirdly they don't state that they will be contacting the owners to inform them of the place on the list, just arrest them when they turn up.

Avon police are meant to be one of the better forces in relation to cruises. The mind boggles

p.s. Astraboy you cruising on the 20th? I remember seeing a Astra with window stickers "Astraboy" at Chelsea last year

Richard

 

Yeah that was me and I'll be out and about on the 20th too
Organise 12 posse are in the place so yo know its gonna be good
astraboy.

 

by the way there is a short delay on CC before the post shows up.

 

A certain breach of human rights, arrested and having my car impounded for sitting in a car park, I would have thought the car park is better than flyin round the streets as you get moved on.

Whats next, Dont go to a football match as you will cause a nuisance by being part of a 20000 crowd to watch the game. Yhis copper bloke sounds like a right tosser and i dont regret saying so.
Thank you

 

interesting, as "The Big One" could well have been classed as a cruise type thing, plus some of the meets I have gone to cna get quite big.

i can see the guys point if the people are being ******, to, from and during the event, you know, typical max powery stuff like burnouts etc..

but if they are just sitting about, showing the engines, stereos, etc.. then I can't see a problem.

Suffice to say, if I had been there, and was just milling about and I'd been nicked then I'd be straight on to police complaints and I'd also talk to my solicitor.