A 21-year-old male from Chepstow has been stung by the new requirements regarding drivers using their vehicles in an anti-social manner

The Government have made recent changes to police powers under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002, which is used to deal with vehicles being driven in an anti-social manner.

There is now no longer a requirement for police to issue a warning to drivers using their vehicles in an anti-social manner or in a manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance. Police are now able to seize vehicles immediately, without first giving a warning. This is intended to help officers tackle anti-social vehicle use more quickly and prevent repeat offending.

The Roads Policing and Specialist Operations team have already put their new powers to good use, after they observed this vehicle drifting around a roundabout, next to a primary school in the Thornwell area.

A spokesman said, “not only was their driving dangerous, but an inspection of their vehicle showed; three tyres were below the legal limit of 1.6mm; some tyres had not been fitted corrected with the inner wall being driven on the outer; and a defective handbrake.

“The driver, a 21-year-old male from Chepstow, has been reported to court for: Dangerous driving Driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition The vehicle has been seized and no longer poses a risk on our roads.”

Operation Wheeler, led by officers from the Roads Policing and Specialist Operations (RPSO) team, is tackling the anti-social and dangerous use of vehicles across Gwent and has already seen multiple arrests and convictions for those taking part in these meets.

382 illegal car meets were reported to Gwent Police between January 2020 and January 2025, with 144 reports being made last year alone. Car meets and street racing can have fatal consequences for those involved and the illegal and dangerous behaviour associated can have a ripple effect on the wider community.