Car park off of Laser Quay in Medway City Estate plagued by anti-social drivers and vandalism
05:00, 18 September 2023
updated: 12:13, 20 September 2023
Boy-racers are wreaking havoc on an industrial park, mooning office workers, vandalising buildings and leaving a trail of litter in their wake – and police need to start getting tough.
That’s the view of Matt Foy, the director of Epsilon House Management Limited, who rents out commercial space to several companies on the Medway City Estate.
His building in Culpeper Close backs onto a private car park, which he says has been plagued with vandalism and nuisance drivers for the past 10 years.
Just last Wednesday (September 6) he captured footage of dozens of vehicles turning up there.
Now he is calling for stricter enforcement in a bid to stop it once and for all.
“My tenants witness regular meet-ups during the weekends and in the evening,” the 51-year-old explained.
“It happens more often during warm weather, from around April to August.
“Every week we go out on a Monday morning and clear up multiple gas canisters and burger wrappers.
“It is a real shame these guys are dragging the area down.”
“You can’t kick them off your land or talk to them,” he added. “You just get a mouthful of abuse.
“You are absolutely powerless.”
Last Monday (September 4), Matt discovered around 100 tiles had been smashed on his roof.
The building is currently surrounded by scaffolding, with the exterior being refurbished.
It was last repaired in 2019, which is when it suffered another spout of vandalism.
Matt said: “Previously, someone decided to climb up and smash a window – which we reported to the police.
“After that, I installed floodlights for security and safety reasons.
“Now they have gone around breaking a load of tiles.
“Building maintenance costs approximately £38,000 and I’ve had to spend an extra couple of grand on top of that to get the broken ones replaced.”
During last Wednesday’s car meet, around 20 to 30 cars turned up between 5pm and 8pm.
The gathering was captured on video, which shows more than a dozen youngsters sitting on bonnets and milling around.
Several additional cars were seen entering the site at the time.
Matt stated that a lot of the vehicles looked to be modified and were reportedly doing doughnuts around the car park.
His tenants claim they have witnessed drug deals taking place, as well as people drinking and driving.
In 2015, one worker had their car broken into, set alight and pushed into a barrier near the river.
“A few years back, some were seen mooning workers through the windows on the lower-ground floors,” Matt added.
“This was happening at around 4.30pm, and shocked a number of people who were still in the offices.”
The landlord is now calling on police to crack down on the issue.
Over the weekend, officers patrolled areas across Medway during a 48-hour dispersal order.
It was implemented due to an increase in complaints of nuisance vehicles and dangerous driving.
As a result, some groups were moved on and fined in Ratcliffe Highway, Hoo.
Matt also believes the entrance of the car park site should have barriers, which would shut during the evening and prevent any unnecessary cars from entering.
He said: “I’ve spoken to the police, but they don’t have the resources available to deal with it.
“It all depends on how many people have raised the issue with them – the more complaints received, further action will be taken.
“However, only a few workers stay late in the estate, which is a bit disheartening.
“There needs to be a change in the law. These people are trespassing on private land, they are being anti-social and dangerous.”
A spokesman from the police said: “Just after 7.45pm on Wednesday, September 6, we were called to a report of nuisance behaviour at a private car park near Culpeper Close, Rochester.
“Details of the incident have been recorded and shared with local patrols to be aware of.”
‘Anyone persistently using their vehicle to commit anti-social behaviour can expect an appropriate, robust response which can include fines and vehicle seizures.’
Ch Insp Trevor Jenner, District Commander for Medway, added: ‘We are aware of the ongoing issues on Medway City Estate and understand how upsetting anti-social behaviour can be and the negative effect it can have on those experiencing it.
“Kent Police has been working closely with Medway Council, partner agencies and local businesses to address these concerns, which include groups of motorists visiting the estate and using their vehicles in an anti-social manner.
“The local dedicated beat officer has visited the estate to speak to the businesses and individuals affected by recent disturbances to encourage them to report their concerns to Kent Police and look at ways future incidents can be deterred.
“When we have sufficient evidence and concerns to do so, we are able to implement dispersal orders to prevent large groups of people from gathering in a specified area and to deter anti-social behaviour from taking place. In the last six months we have successfully implemented such 11 dispersal orders across Medway.
“Anyone persistently using their vehicle to commit anti-social behaviour can expect an appropriate, robust response which can include fines and vehicle seizures.
“Anyone who is a victim of crime or anti-social behaviour should report these matters as they arise so officers can respond appropriately.”
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