POLICE stopped more than 30 motorists who had travelled from West Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire to meet at Carlton Industrial Estate at the weekend.

Officers received reports of a car meet at the industrial estate on Saturday night, with those in attendance ‘racing up and down the roads’.

The motorists had dispersed prior to their arrival but were quickly located near to junction 37 of the M1 at Dodworth.

Officers closed the road and blocked over 30 drivers and their vehicles.

The drivers were not permitted to leave until they had their vehicle and documents checked.

All drivers were found to have travelled from the Nottinghamshire and West Yorkshire areas.

Several drivers received a warning under the Police Reform Act, meaning if their vehicles are caught to be driving in an antisocial within the next year, their vehicle will be automatically seized.

As the drivers were allowed to leave, reports were quickly received alleging that cars were racing along the M1.

Officers responded and two drivers were stopped, issued traffic offence reports and reported on summons for their manner of driving.

Three drivers will receive letters in the post reporting them on summons to appear at court for their actions.

Knowing regular routes, the car meet descended up to Cortonwood, but roads policing officers were already waiting for them, meaning drivers left the area.

Inspector Matt Collings said: “We regularly publicise the work we are doing around car meets and our efforts will not reduce.

“Our message is simple: using the roads of South Yorkshire as a racetrack will not be tolerated.

“We saw last week a man jailed for a collision at a car meet that resulted in a motorcyclist losing a leg.

“Anyone thinking this is harmless fun is mistaken and those either living here, or travelling to our county, can expect our attention if they intend to behave recklessly and endanger lives.

“We will use every opportunity to take action where we can, including prosecution, seizing vehicles and informing insurance companies.”

Coun Dave Leech told the Chronicle: “At the end of the day, these people have got to remember that the industrial estate is a working environment.

“There’s an ambulance station there and there’s HGVs and other motorists, too.

“It’s dangerous and inconsiderate and then to go towards the M1 afterwards it just endangers more lives.”