Communities “blighted” by dangerous driving and speeding, leaving “elderly residents frightened” to go out after dark
Communities in Fareham are being “blighted” by dangerous driving and speeding, which is leaving “elderly residents frightened” to go out after dark.
Inspector Rob Kearley, from Hampshire police, told councillors that the borough has a “big problem” with anti-social driving but work is being done to tackle the issue.
He spoke at a council meeting considering a motion put forward by Councillor Pal Hayre (Con, Stubbington) that said “popping and banging” noises from cars regularly disturb residents late at night.
Cllr Hayre said: “Dangerous driving, loud gatherings, loud noises at night, doing doughnuts in car parks, persistent speeding, breakneck starts with cars and motorbikes engaging in this behaviour.
“It is blighting people’s lives. Elderly residents are frightened to go out after dark.”
The motion added: “Such behaviour not only causes significant noise disturbance but also presents a clear risk to public safety and local wildlife.
“Councillors across the borough are regularly being contacted by residents who are deeply concerned about the disruption, danger, and lack of enforcement in relation to these issues.”
Addressing councillors at the executive meeting on December 1, Mr Kearley said residents must report the incidents to police or his team will not know there is a problem.
He said: “It is a big problem; Fareham suffers from this problem more than most.
“We have tackled it more than most, but there’s a long way to go. It’s not just us that need to deal with it. We do need help with it.”
But Councillor Gemma Furnivall (Lab, Fort Fareham) said residents had lost confidence that police will take action.
She said: “People have lost faith in reporting, that nothing will happen if they call the police, and so people are reluctant to do so.”
Cllr Furnivall said that one couple living near the junction of St Michael’s Grove have had their wall knocked down five times.
Councillor Ian Bastable (Con, Park Gate) said one of his residents has had drivers come through their fence three times.
The executive agreed to write to local MPs and Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, to ask for support in tackling anti-social vehicle use and speeding.
The council wants tackling the issues to be made a local priority in future policing, transport, and community safety strategies.