POLICE are carrying out investigations following their dispersal of a large number of cars at an Andover supermarket yesterday.

Officers were called to the scene at the car park of Tesco Extra on River Way, Andover at around 9.45pm last night (Saturday, May 15) where a “large number of cars” had gathered.

The attendees were dispersed and a spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary told the Advertiser that no sanctions have yet been made, but “this incident is currently under investigation”.

They added: “When officers attended there were approximately 200 vehicles present.”

Reports on social media have suggested that the meet-up was organised by the Reading Car Meets (RCM) group, and the Advertiser has contacted them for comment.

One local resident, Wendy Davis, told the Advertiser it was a “fairly alarming experience for the uninitiated”.

She added: “[It was] difficult to park, people everywhere, explosions, no social distancing, masks not worn by the throngs using the supermarket, clearly anxious staff, no police.”

A Tesco spokesperson said: “The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our number one priority – we ask everyone in our stores to use our car parks responsibly and follow Government guidelines including social distancing and wearing face coverings, unless exempt.”

It comes after police dealth with a similar event in Basingstoke in March, and several previous car meets held during coronavirus restrictions.