Police target car cruisers (From Barry And District News)

Police target car cruisers

SOUTH Wales Police carried out a unique operation in Barry Island to crack down on'car cruisers'.

Codenamed Hummel, the operation was aimed at tackling a large gathering of around 300 young people in modified cars, known as'car cruisers'.

Extensive crime analysis and intelligence gathering by the police in the Vale of Glamorgan, found that car cruisers from all over the South Wales area were gathering in a Barry Island car park, as often as once a week.

Drivers would meet up to race each other on public roads and in car parks, or to perform potentially dangerous manoeuvres, wheel spins and uncontrolled skidding in front of other young spectators.

Vale police also received phone calls from local residents complaining of the noise from the cars, stunts and spectators, which created an unnecessary fear of crime in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Police intelligence also found that land owners and agents who owned the car parks had been intimidated and, in other parts of the UK, personal injuries had been sustained at cruises, caused by dangerous driving.

Police from the Vale pulled together resources from across the South Wales Police Force and Operation Hummel took place on the evening of Sunday, January 8, at the main car park in Barry Island.

With 100 officers, the operation was carefully implemented with protection of public safety paramount at all times.

Police'spotters' monitored the area before teams of convoys were dispatched to block off and seal the exits and entrances to the car park.

The convoys included the state-of-the-art CCTV van, numerous police vehicles and specialist Police Support Units (PSU).

The Coastguard, police helicopter and specialist traffic police were also on stand-by to stop any car cruisers from getting away.

A vehicle safety checking area, in conjunction with the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) intelligence checking equipment, was set up at the controlled exit point.

Via this checkpoint, every driver was issued with a Section 59 Police Reform Act warning and everyone, including spectators, were issued with the first stages of an Asbo as well as public nuisance warnings.

Sgt Jim Hall, who spearheaded the operation, said: "They have been issued with a first stage Asbo referral, which is the first of four stages before a full Anti-Social Behaviour Order can be issued.

"This operation was carried out for two reasons - to act on the concerns raised by local residents coupled with evidence gathered over a number of months. There have been instances of car parks becoming virtually "no go" areas whilst occupied by car cruisers and missiles have been thrown at police officers attending such events.

"Evidence of criminal damage to the car park facilities in Barry Island and damage to the car park surface from burnt out vehicles has also been found.

"Should there be any repeat of this type of behaviour, then vehicles will be seized."

"No arrests were made and no vehicles were seized during this operation, however we have now captured details of all vehicles and persons in attendance whereby positive action can be taken against them should they partake in such future events."

Divisional Commander for the police in the Vale of Glamorgan, Superintendent Sue Hayes said: "Details taken on the night revealed that people had travelled from all over South Wales to the event.