Police now have powers to seize cars being driven 'inconsiderately' at a busy retail park plagued by anti-social behaviour issues.
A new 'permanent warning' under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 means officers can now immediately seize a vehicle being driven carelessly, inconsiderately or in an anti-social manner in part of Leigh.
Alternatively, police can seize the vehicle at a later date using powers of entry if necessary, and Greater Manchester Police says no further warnings are required.
The new beefed up powers are now in force for an area around Parsonage Retail Park, off Atherleigh Way, including Sainsbury's and Asda.
GMP says the move is part of its efforts to cut crime and anti-social behaviour around the retail park following a string of recent events which have attracted motorists from miles around.
In a post on Facebook, a spokesperson for GMP Leigh, Atherton and Hindley said: "This measure has been put in place due to recent incidents, including the illegal use of off road motorcycles and also car cruise events where dangerous and anti-social driving has occurred on the site and in surrounding roads.
"Those events have not had the permission of the landowner and have caused disruption to the local community, with hundreds of vehicles attending from as far afield as North Wales and beyond.
"Whilst there's no issue with people wanting to admire each other's bodywork and compare exhaust sizes, there have been a number of reports of dangerous and careless driving and, as we have seen at similar events in Greater Manchester, there is a significant potential for tragic consequences.
"We've had car meets at other locations in Leigh in the past, which have been well run and where the organiser has liaised with the police in advance.
"We're currently in discussion with someone who wants to organise another event in the near future and will happily discuss plans with anyone else who wishes to hold an event.
"However, we will continue to put in place operations where individuals or groups hold events that pose a risk to the community and we will use CCTV and ANPR equipment to take enforcement action during or after the event, where necessary."
