A GROUP of car enthusiasts were forced to relocate a planned meeting in Salisbury to Poole after being told they were not welcome in the city.

Jack White, who runs Modified Moments, had hoped to run an event in the Maltings car park on Sunday but the group were told they did not have the proper safety measures in place.

Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police then closed the car park during the evening to make sure nobody showed up without permission describing it as an “unsuitable venue for the event”.

Jack says that the police were patrolling every car park in the city and they were eventually escorted to Poole by undercover cops, leaving him feeling “pushed out of the county”.

The group had held a similar event in the Maltings car park earlier this year but Wiltshire Council had insisted that they get insurance if they were to hold it in future – something Jack says he is unable to afford as the meet is free to attend.

He called on the authorities to help find a solution so a meet could happen in the city, adding that he feels singled out because the organisers are aged between 18 and 25.

“We are not boy racers,” he said. “It is a static meet and they [Wiltshire Council] need to provide us with somewhere.

“But I think the whole boy racer thing is the issue. They say I need insurance but if I’m not charging people I can’t pay for it.”

Wiltshire Police deny they provided an escort out of the city but confirmed officers were on duty.

In a joint statement with Wiltshire Council they said: “Due to public safety concerns, officers from Salisbury worked with Wiltshire Council to ensure a car enthusiast meet event could not take place in Salisbury city centre.

“The meet had not been properly organised with the appropriate safety measures in place.

“All organisers of public events must comply with these regulations so that those attending the event can enjoy themselves safely.

“The safety of the public is our priority and we will not compromise on that position.

“Both Wiltshire Police and council staff had offered to work with the organiser to help find a suitable venue and plan a properly organised event however this was declined.”