- Location: Industrial estate in Coulsdon, car parks and service roads.
- Action: Joint operation by two police forces.
- Target: Nuisance drivers holding noisy late-night meets.
- Activities: Racing and gatherings disrupting local areas.
- Objective: Crackdown on illegal driving events.
One local council member called the actions of the “boy racers” and joy riders “a nightmare for residents.”
These organized but illegal race meetings have been held in and around the Redlands Industrial Estate and Ullswater Crescent off Marlpit Lane in Coulsdon. Surrey Police and the Met are looking to take coordinated action, using drones and CCTV, to monitor and possibly impound vehicles that show up.
Even Croydon Council has acted, albeit slowly, and is reportedly considering putting up speed bumps to discourage the races. But who knows when they’ll actually take action.
“We share your concerns,”
Conservative councillor Ian Parker has told residents.
“These meets are dangerous to drivers and pedestrians and a real nuisance to residents. They are not what some have claimed, ‘youngsters having a bit of fun’.”
However, residents of the Coulsdon Woods park, which is near the industrial park where the motor meets occur, claim that the police and council have long disregarded their complaints. In September of last year, Councillor Parker brought up the issue. However, the boisterous nighttime gatherings have persisted.
The petrolheads assemble at the base of an ancient chalk quarry, where their motors and screeching tires are amplified by the steep slopes of the pit.
“They race their cars, backfiring constantly and tyres squealing, for hours on end. On the last occasion they also brought large speakers that belted out very loud music from 11.30pm to 2.30am and they appeared to set off fireworks as well,”
according to one eyewitness.
At the beginning of the month, the Coulsdon Woods Management group’s board sent a formal protest to Croydon Mayor Jason Perry.
“These people are blatantly breaking the law at will and others are encouraging them in order to make money from their fans,”
the email stated.
“Our faith in the police is seriously damaged by this lack of action. Where are the police officers to arrest people actually committing a crime?”
Those who experienced the weekly “Croydon Cruise” on Imperial Way, off Purley Way, about ten years ago would recognize the description. Then, the council was only convinced to act after a young father passed away.
In that case, it was difficult for the local police to allocate the resources required to deal with stunt riding on the public highway or high-speed racing. In the end, the council erected speed bumps along important sections of the road, making it impossible or extremely uncomfortable for the racers to use it as a drag strip.
The persistent offenders were further discouraged by a police raid that impounded some of the vehicles and a three-year High Court order.
Coulsdon seems to be the preferred racetrack these days.
Residents claim that when they have attempted to contact the police, they have had trouble reaching an operator, and when they have, they have been informed that no other complaints have been made. One local told Inside Croydon,
“We know this is false.”
The police have received CCTV footage from businesses located within the trade estate, but no action has been taken.
The meetings have occasionally started as early as 7 p.m. The racing meetings usually take place late at night and into the early hours of the morning, lasting at least three hours.
The roads don’t have any speed bumps. Many of the trading units include barrier-free parking spaces.
In a notice sent to residents, Parker wrote:
“Surrey Police have easier access to drones that will enable them to evidence the problems when they attend and this will support the issuing of Section 59 notices which grant them the authority to seize vehicles…
The police will use enforcement on those that they are able to capture acting in an anti-social manner.
The police are aware of the impact this is having on local residents. They offer reassurances that this will be dealt with.”
And Parker added, “The prospect of [the council’s highways department] putting in adequate speed bumps will be the most impactive [sic] and long-term solution.”
What safety measures can local businesses take to deter car gatherings?
Original businesses on Coulsdon’s Redlands Industrial Estate can discourage night- time auto meets by installing physical walls and enhancing surveillance to help gatherings and racing.
Emplace rising bollards, heavy- duty agronomists, or retractable gates at all entrances to block vehicle access after hours, as recommended in Surrey Police’santi-car match strategies proven to reduce incidents by 70 in analogous spots. Raised kerbs, speed humps, and chained wheel stops on service roads discourage doughnuts and speeding, with coproprietors liable for negligence if unaddressed.
Install stir- actuated LED floodlights, CCTV with night vision covering auto premises , and ANPR cameras logging vehicle enrollments for police handover under Section 59 notices. Intimately visible signage warning” CCTV Covered – Vehicle Seizure Zone” and timed cinches on point gates gesture zero forbearance, aligning with Operation HUBCAP’s mate agency protocols.
