The move follows reports of 60 unauthorised car meets in Swindon since January 2025, many of which took place on industrial estates and public land. Several incidents involved dangerous driving and near misses, raising concerns about safety and disruption.
Working alongside Wiltshire Police, the council has implemented a new Public Spaces Protection Order, known as a PSPO. The order gives officers clearer powers to prevent, disperse and penalise those involved in illegal car meets.
The PSPO was introduced after a public consultation, with more than two-thirds of respondents backing the proposal. It also builds on existing measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, including a PSPO already in place covering Swindon town centre and Broadgreen.
The council said it has also drawn on the experience of Trafford Council, where similar powers have been used to address persistent problems linked to unauthorised vehicle gatherings.
Councillor Jim Grant, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said:
“This new PSPO is a vital step in our work to make Swindon safer for everyone. Unauthorised car meets cause real harm and disruption to communities by putting lives at risk and damaging our environment.
“Tackling anti-social behaviour will help us build a fairer Swindon and this new order builds on our wider work to protect public spaces, support residents and ensure that everyone feels safe where they live and work. Working with our partners in the police, we will not hesitate to use these powers to hold those responsible to account.”
Wiltshire Police said the gatherings place a significant strain on resources and lead to repeated complaints from the public.
Inspector Joe Senior, based in Swindon, said:
“We appreciate the significant distress that unauthorised car meets can have on local residents and we welcome these additional powers.
“Unauthorised car meets are a drain on police resources and a source of community complaints and we have seen examples of dangerous driving endangering other road users at previous car meets.”
Under the PSPO, it is now illegal to organise, promote or attend unauthorised car meets. It also covers travelling to such events in a participating vehicle, or allowing a vehicle to be used or parked for the purpose of attending or spectating.
The order is being actively enforced by Wiltshire Police and designated council officers using patrols, CCTV and body-worn cameras. Breaches can result in a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice, reduced to £75 if paid within fourteen days.
Clear signage has been installed in hotspot areas across the borough, including Ashworth Road, Ramsden Road, Kembrey Street, Elgin Drive, Stirling Road in South Marston Industrial Estate, Edison Road in Dorcan Industrial Estate and Newcombe Drive in Hawksworth.
Residents are being encouraged to report suspected unauthorised car meets directly to Wiltshire Police.
