In the quiet suburb of Elmers End in south-east London, a battle has been brewing for years—one that’s played out not in town halls or on social media, but in the echoing roars of engines and the screech of tires after dark. Residents, long plagued by illegal car racing and so-called "car meets" in the local Tesco supermarket car park, are now pinning their hopes on a new solution: a night-time barrier designed to keep racers out and restore peace to their neighborhood.
For locals, the problem is anything but new. As reported by BBC, the sounds of powerful engines and the acrid smell of burning rubber have become all too familiar. These car meets, often organized informally through social networks, typically spill out from the supermarket car park onto Croydon Road and surrounding streets. The events, which can attract crowds of spectators, are marked by dangerous stunts, high-speed trials, and a general disregard for the safety of both participants and bystanders.
One resident, Sharmone, described the chaos he encountered late one night: "I suddenly could hear a loud screeching noise. There was also a very awful burning smell. It was about 2am and what I saw was pure chaos, smoke everywhere, people filming on their phones. You wouldn't think this was a supermarket car park." He even captured footage of drivers performing drifting tricks, sometimes coming perilously close to the assembled crowd. The sense of danger is palpable—one misjudged maneuver, and lives could be at risk.
Another local, who has lived in Elmers End for 19 years, told BBC that the noise and disruption have intensified over the past year. "This has been going on for years but seems to have intensified over the past year at least. I certainly don't feel safe at night any longer and neither does my family. This antisocial behaviour needs to be stopped." She added that participants often "drive at full speed down Croydon Road, putting lives at risk."
The frustration among residents is compounded by a perception that authorities have been slow to act. While police have occasionally broken up the gatherings, many feel that efforts have been piecemeal and ineffective. Bromley Council, which covers the area, has stated that it lacks enforcement powers because the car park is privately owned by Tesco. This bureaucratic wrinkle has left locals feeling powerless—until now.
In response to mounting complaints, the Metropolitan Police have collaborated with Tesco to plan the installation of a vehicle barrier at the car park, which is expected to be in place within days of October 7, 2025. A Tesco spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment: "We take reports of antisocial behaviour in our car parks very seriously and have been working to prevent incidents involving groups of motorists." Residents are cautiously optimistic that the measure will finally bring relief, even as some worry it will simply push the problem elsewhere.
That concern isn’t unfounded. Car enthusiast Gemma, who attends meets with her brother, told BBC, "When we arrive at a meet it is shut down. So we try and see if there is somewhere else we can go to." The fear is that a crackdown in one location merely shifts the activity to another, rather than addressing the root causes.
This is a dilemma faced by authorities across London and, indeed, much of England. Illegal car meets and street racing aren’t confined to one borough—they’re a citywide issue. Large car parks at supermarkets, retail parks, and industrial estates are common venues. The Metropolitan Police have stepped up their efforts, recently seizing more than 60 luxury vehicles in Westminster after complaints about illegal street racing, according to BBC. In Enfield, the Met sought a court injunction to ban car meetings along the A10 after years of persistent illegal activity. Local councils, including Westminster and Hillingdon, have also used their legal powers to ban car meetings from parts of their boroughs.
The legal landscape is complicated. While dangerous and antisocial driving is clearly against the law, the mere act of gathering in a car park isn’t necessarily illegal. This gray area leaves room for both misunderstanding and conflict. Motoring enthusiasts argue that the majority of meets are about community and passion for cars, not reckless behavior. Jamie, a 24-year-old TikTokker and car lover, told BBC, "People who want to race should be using proper racetracks... we've all seen people doing stupid things on social media, but not all of us are like that. We meet up, show off our cars and talk about what we can do with them. It's just a hobby. It feels like the community is getting punished for the bad behaviour of a few."
Philip McGovern, founder of Caffeine & Machine—a business set up to host official gatherings for car enthusiasts—believes that car lovers are unfairly maligned. "There is a buoyant car culture in London—a street culture, a classic culture, a super car, hyper car culture, it's all there... I just think the concept of the automotive is considered dirty." McGovern points out that, in the past, there was more available land for enthusiasts to meet, away from residential areas. Now, with fewer accessible spaces and the high cost of using professional racetracks, the challenge is as much about social governance as law enforcement. "I don't think this is about less car meets in London, I think this is about how people can use their cars... the challenge, as it always has been, is one of social governance."
While London authorities grapple with the issue, the dangers of illegal street racing have been highlighted elsewhere. On October 6, 2025, authorities in New Mexico released dramatic video footage of a street race that ended in a fiery crash and explosion. As reported by local news and cited by BBC, the footage is being used as a cautionary tale to warn against the risks of street racing. The message is clear: what may begin as a thrill for some can end in disaster for many.
The ongoing struggle in Elmers End is emblematic of a broader tension between car enthusiasts seeking community and expression, and residents demanding safety and peace. As London installs more barriers and pursues legal action, the question remains: can a balance be struck that allows for both?
For now, the residents of Elmers End are waiting to see if the new barrier will bring back the quiet nights they remember—or if the chase will simply continue elsewhere.
