Around 40 cars descended on a £5m multi-storey car park but swiftly made a U-turn after spotting security on Friday night.

Security has been stepped up at Rochester Riverside car park after more than 100 cars congregated there last weekend and safety concerns were raised.

The police were called to the unofficial “meet” on Saturday, January 14, and said some of the cars were being driven in an anti-social manner. Witnesses described the atmosphere as intimidating.

Mayor of Medway and Rochester West ward councillor Cllr Stuart Tranter visited the car park on Friday to see if the added security measures had made a difference.

He said he saw at least 30 to 40 cars drive in, and then back out, of the car park at around 9pm.

Cllr Tranter said: “I really do hope that organisers of these events can find a suitable venue for genuine car enthusiasts to meet. I did see some great cars, and I’m quite sure the majority are sensible and considerate people. But don’t just turn up somewhere, and do expect to pay for the venue.

“It also requires getting permission from the landowners and the council well in advance to make sure the organisation of the event is professionally managed – especially when there are very large numbers as I witnessed the previous week.

“I know it is tiresome, but the council must consider the safety of the public and participants as well as the impact on other people in the area.”

Cllr Tranter added: “We are improving security measures permanently so that the car park is always a safe place members of the public travelling by rail or visiting Rochester to park their cars. It was never intended to be a meeting place for large groups of people, which can be intimidating for users.”

In Friday’s Messenger, car enthusiasts defended their gatherings and pointed out there had been no problems with an organised meet on Sunday, January 15.

It was the second meet Kyle Eldridge has been involved with at Rochester Riverside.

The 23-year-old from Rochester said: “We had one there on January 1 and the police didn’t turn up at all. There were no problems. We use that car park because it is out of the way and you have got the train station to mask any noise.”