Security has been stepped up at a £5m car park after police were called when more than 100 cars congregated there.

Reports have suggested the number of cars at Rochester Riverside multi-storey on Saturday could have been as many as 200 and filled every level. Witnesses have described the atmosphere as intimidating.

Police said some of the cars were being driven in an anti-social manner. Officers broke up the “meet” and asked drivers to leave.

The following day another meet was held with between 200 and 300 cars. This time the organisers contacted police in advance and patrols were sent twice during the evening but allowed the cars to stay.

The Mayor of Medway, Cllr Stuart Tranter, has raised fears about the car park, next to the new railway station, being used by so called “boy racers”. He is worried meets attract irresponsible drivers and there may be another accident similar to the one on the Medway City Estate when 15 youngsters were hurt.

Others who were collecting their vehicles from the car park in Cory's Road on Saturday have also raised concerns.

One driver, who did not want to be named, said: “I came back to find the car park packed with about 40 plus cars, blocking people from leaving the car park and generally being intimidating. Not nice to face as a lady alone at night. I advised the police who were on their way when I left.”

Leonie Creegan commented online: “I returned from London at 9.45pm. I had my five-year-old daughter with me and, yes, it was intimidating. There were numerous cars parked revving engines and there were cars driving at speed within the car park too. The distinct smell of weed lingered in the air as well.

“I actually felt really angry these people felt it was OK to use a public car park in this way – there is a stronger possibility these people are going to hit someone’s car or that someone is going to get hurt.”

Cllr Andrew Mackness, of River ward, where the car park is located, held a meeting this week in the hope of putting a stop to such gatherings which he described as a “public nuisance”.

He said: “The incident of a mass car gathering, racing and general misuse of this public space by irresponsible drivers is a serious concern and has been raised with officers once again.”

A police spokesman said they were called to reports of around 100 vehicles in the multi-storey on Saturday. Officers attended at 10.45pm to prevent further cars from arriving and disperse those already there. Most of the vehicles had left by 11.40pm.

One 18-year-old, who was there on Saturday, said there was only a small minority acting in an anti-social way.

The teenager, who only wanted to be named as Alex, said: “These cars are people’s pride and joy. They don’t want to risk damaging them.

“On Saturday there was a meet at Blue Bell Hill where we are given permission to use a car park. But it was rammed so a lot of people headed to Rochester. It wasn’t an organised meet as such.”

The organisers of Sunday's meet had marshals on each level and said there were no problems. A police spokesman confirmed there was no issue with the Sunday meet and no anti-social driving.

"These cars are people’s pride and joy. They don’t want to risk damaging them" - car enthusiast Alex

A police spokesman added: “Officers will continue to work in partnership with Medway Council to investigate any report of anti-social behaviour using CCTV and other lines of inquiry.”

Medway Council sent security guards to the car park this week. A witness said they were controlling what cars went into the car park.

A spokesman said: “We’re working closely with police following complaints of a group of motorists gathering in the multi-storey car park in Rochester.

"We have also arranged for security officers to visit the car park to help prevent any incidents of anti-social behaviour.”

More in the Medway Messenger, out today.