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The injunction bans people from taking part in a car cruise anywhere within Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall, or from promoting, organising or publicising any such event in the four areas.
It has had a major impact since being introduced in 2015, leading to a significant reduction in car cruising in many parts of the Black Country, with the problem being eliminated entirely in some areas.
Some 17 people have also been convicted of breaching the injunction, either by participating in or organising a car cruise, and have received suspended prison sentences, been fined up to £1,000 and ordered to pay court costs.
However, there are still car cruising hotspots in the region with a number of fatalities linked to car cruising in recent years, and so the 4 Black Country boroughs, led by the City of Wolverhampton Council and West Midlands Police, were successful in seeking a continuation of the injunction until 1 February, 2021 at the Birmingham District Registry of the High Court this morning.
His Honour Judge McKenna, sitting as a High Court judge, said: "The measures are reasonable and proportionate and I am content to extend the order for another three years."
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Car cruising is noisy, dangerous and illegal, causing damage to property and posing a risk of injury or worse to participants and the general public alike. It also takes up a lot of valuable time for our hard pressed emergency services.
"Since its introduction in 2015, the injunction has helped to dramatically reduce the menace of car cruising across the Black Country, eliminating it altogether in certain areas.
"However, the problem has not been entirely eradicated; car cruises are still being held in our region, sometimes with fatal consequences.
"We are therefore pleased that the High Court has extended the injunction for a further three years, enabling the police and local councils to continue to crackdown on car cruising and to bring perpetrators to book."
PC Stuart Hemming from West Midlands Police said: "We will continue to work with councils in the Black Country to eradicate this anti social and dangerous behaviour and make our boroughs safer places to live, work and socialise."
The injunction prohibits activities typically associated with car cruising, including speeding, racing and driving in convoy, performing stunts and causing an obstruction on a public highway.
It also prohibits consequences associated with car cruising, including excessive noise, danger or risk of injury to other road users and pedestrians, damage or risk of damage to property and significant risk of harm, public nuisance and annoyance to the public.
Anyone breaching the injunction risks of being in contempt of court, for which they can face up to two years in prison and a fine. The authorities can also seize assets such as vehicles. In addition, police retain their powers in relation to traffic offences including driving without insurance, driving an unroadworthy vehicle and driving without due care and attention.
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Incidents of car cruising should be reported to West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.
- released: Tuesday 9 January, 2018