A RESIDENT has taken matters into his own hands and started a petition to stop anti-social car meetups in a Sainsbury’s car park.

The online petition has so far amassed over 200 signatures.

The petition, started by Mark Burrows states that the car park of the Sainsbury’s in Wallop Drive has become an increasingly popular late night meeting place for car enthusiasts.

Mark said that on an “almost nightly occurrence” at around 9.30pm residents in the area are bothered by “intense engine revving” as well as doughnut stunts, wheelspins and “loud unsociable music up to and often past midnight”.

Mark said that there is often car racing on Long Cross Lane and Winchester Road.

Mark is now calling for “swift action” to be taken to keep the community safe.

He added: “This is far more than an anti-social concern but a serious safety issue. With the growing number of attendees, late night shop staff, shoppers and passing members of the public using the car park, it is only a matter of time before the irresponsible behaviour by the small minority at these events will cause serious injury or fatality without intervention.”

Cllr Stephen Reid (Conservative, Basingstoke South West) expressed his support of the petition and confirmed to the Gazette that “it is an issue that must be addressed”.

He added: “I started my investigation by contacting the manager of the Sainsbury’s store. He was aware of the problem and, indeed, had had to send his in-store cleaners outside to clear up the litter and mess left after the car meets.”

Cllr Reid confirmed that Mitie, the facility management company who he said are responsible for the car park are planning to come down to the car park in this next week.

He added: “I also referred the problem to the Police and Crime Commissioner, who responded positively.

“Following this, the local Police issued a statement saying that they were aware and would be taking action.”

Despite this Cllr Reid said that he believes physical measures are needed including automatic number plate recognition technology.

He hopes these ideas will be considered by Mitie after their visit.

As previously reported by the Gazette police officers in Basingstoke said they were treating car meetups as a “district priority.”

PC Bex Mason, from the Basingstoke Neighbourhood Team, said: “Our message is clear; anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Basingstoke.

“We will deal with this type of disorder whenever and wherever it occurs.”

You can read the full petition here: https://www.change.org/p/sainsbury-s-sainsbury-s-kempshott-dangerous-driving-and-unsocial-behaviour