Police presence on A33 near Basingstoke for the second weekend running
A dispersal order was in place
Last updated 28th Jun 2021
Hampshire Constabulary have issued a statement explaining why there was a significant police presence along the A33 between Basingstoke and Winchester at the weekend.
A dispersal order was in place from Friday (25 June) through to Sunday afternoon (27 June) after they received information about unauthorised horse and trap racing due to take place.
It comes after the same order was issued for the weekend before on the 19th and 20th June - for the same reason.
The operation over that weekend (19/20 June) also saw officers there deal with offences including:
1 motorist dealt with for drugs offences
3 motorists were dealt with for drink driving
1 motorist dealt with for driving whilst unfit through drink/drugs
A wanted man arrested for failing to appear at court
5 vehicles seized for having no insurance
Chief Superintendent Paul Bartolomeo said on Saturday (26 June): "Racing on public road networks is an offence, and will result in us taking enforcement action.
"These activities can be conducted lawfully elsewhere, such as on private land, and we will not be tolerating the use of Hampshire’s roads for an illegal sporting event.
"We will deal with offences robustly, and take action wherever we have a power in law to do so.
"A Section 35 dispersal order has been authorised from 3pm on Friday 25 June and 3pm on Sunday 27 June, and will be in place across the whole of the county.
"It gives officers the power to disperse people under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014; they can also seize any items used in the commission of anti-social behaviour.
"We appreciate the support of our partners in managing this situation, as well as the patience of the communities we serve."