People who spot incidents of street racing in the Black Country are being urged to report them to the police as a region wide crackdown on "car cruising" continues.

An injunction is in force banning people from taking part in a car cruise anywhere within the 4 Black Country boroughs - Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton - or from promoting, organising or publicising such an event.

And the authorities say they won't hesitate to take action against anyone who breaches it.

The injunction defines car cruising as the act of drivers meeting on the public highway on an organised or impromptu basis to race or show off in their cars.

It prohibits a number of activities and consequences typically associated with car cruising, including speeding, racing or driving in convoy, performing stunts, obstructing the highway, excessive noise, and causing the risk of harm to people or property.

Anyone who breaches the injunction risks being in contempt of court, for which they could face up to 2 years in prison and a fine, while police can also take action against individuals for traffic offences including driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance - no insurance policy covers illegal street racing - or driving an unroadworthy vehicle.

Since the injunction came into force in February 2015, there has been a significant reduction in car cruising activity across the Black Country, while 11 people have been convicted of contempt of court - including 7 last month.

Karen Samuels, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Head of Community Safety, said: "Street racing is completely unacceptable and the injunction shows that the police and the Black Country councils will not tolerate it.

"Although the number of cases of car cruising has dropped dramatically since the injunction was introduced, there are still isolated incidents, and we need residents and businesses to report them to West Midlands Police so the authorities can take action.

"Very often, police have been able to stop car cruising before it has even begun thanks to calls from members of the public which has enabled them to arrive on the scene just as vehicles are gathering."

Chief Inspector Jed White from West Midlands Police's Motorway Policing unit said: "The injunction enables us, together with our partners, to continue to tackle those individuals who flout the laws of the road and pose a danger for innocent members of the public.

"Anyone who is convicted of contempt of court by breaching the injunction could face jail or be hit with a large fine. At the same time, by committing traffic offences they could be banned from driving or have their car seized."

For more information about the injunction, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=5901;Title=Car cruising injunction;. Incidents of car cruising should be reported to West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

  • released: Wednesday 4 May, 2016