Police are hoping to slam the brakes on a ‘car meet’ tonight by using powers to ensure such a gathering cannot take place.

Kent Police says it has been alerted to plans to hold a meet around Snodland and Larkfield this evening and have put an S34 dispersal order in place from 6pm onwards.

The dispersal order enables police to ask people to leave the area at once and refusal to comply with the order is itself an offence liable to arrest.

There will be officers on hand to ensure the dispersal order is respected.

The move follows previous meets in the area that have attracted up to 50 vehicles and have resulted in races being held along New Hythe Lane.

Already 40 fines have been issued for those offences.

Police took similar action to prevent a car meet in Iwade a week ago.

Previously meets have also been held at the Medway City Estate in Strood and at Bluewater shopping centre where drivers ended up being given £100 fines.

Residents and landowners complain that the meets are noisy, disrupt traffic and often result in dangerous anti-social behavior such as drivers racing and demonstrating hand-brake turns.