Loitering is defined as remaining in any one place without no apparent reason.
Loitering is an activity in which someone remains stationary in a public area for an extended period of time without a specific purpose.
When loitering is linked with activities like obstructing passage along a road or sidewalk or attempting to control an area, it can be a cause for law enforcement intervention. Control of territory through loitering is of special concern in areas where gang activity is an issue, and gang members may loiter at key points in order to send a message to other gangs. It can also be viewed as criminal activity when it is accompanied with begging, solicitation, sales, public drunkenness, intimidation, or being a public nuisance.
Certainly not suggesting you are doing any of these.
This is pertinent because the Police will want to know why you are in a car park at night, catching up with your friends, rather than at the local bar or at your or their place.
Police have a right to question your intent, and to move you along, if no grounds for you to be present are apparent.
Are there any shops nearby? Businesses?
If there is, have they had recent break-ins? Is it a bad area? Bad part of town? Gang activity?
All these things make the Police even more aware of people lingering in public places like car parks etc. And to move along.
You say you are a good moral person and not doing anything wrong by chatting in a car park with some mates. But how are the Police meant to know that that is your only intent?
You can be charged with loitering if you are in a place and at a time where normal, law-abiding citizens are not commonly found and which could be construed as posing a threat to property or to others.
A council, if it's a public car park has laws in place to deter loitering in public car parks and you can be asked to move along and can be fined.
Private car parks will have even more stringent laws to deter loitering and as a result can have more serious consequences.
Your best bet is to check with your local law enforcement office on the laws of loitering in your area or neighborhood.
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