An interim injunction has been in place in the region since December 2022, prohibiting people from participating, as a driver, a rider or a passenger, in a gathering of 2 or more people at which some of those present engage in motor racing or motor stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.
It covers the whole of the boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall and anyone breaching it will be in contempt of court and could face penalties including imprisonment, a fine, or an order to have their assets seized.
At a hearing in Birmingham last month, Honour Judge Kelly permitted the interim injunction and Power of Arrest to remain in force, and ordered that a final hearing takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday 27 and 28 February, 2024.
At it, the claimants will be seeking to extend the scope of the injunction so that it covers spectators and organisers.
The application is led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Dudley Council, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council, and supported by West Midlands Police.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: "The interim injunction has been in effect for a year and has achieved a substantial amount of success – both in helping to prevent instances of street racing from occurring in the first place, and in leading to the conviction of a number of individuals for contempt of court in recent months.
“Nevertheless, residents also remain concerned about the effects of street racing and complaints continue to be received by the authorities about incidents across the region, in particular Overfield Drive and the Black Country Route in Bilston, Kenrick Way, West Bromwich, and Manor Way, Halesowen.
“Therefore, we will be returning to the High Court next month to seek a full and final injunction which we hope will also cover spectators and organisers, as both groups are not only encouraging meetings to take place, but are also putting their lives at risk by partaking in this activity."
The final hearing will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday 27 and 28 February, 2024, in the High Court of Justice at the Birmingham District Registry, Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre, Priory Courts, 33 Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6DS, from 10.30am on each day.
The claimants’ details are as follows:
FAO: Black Country Car Cruise
Legal Services
City of Wolverhampton Council
Civic Centre
St Peter's Square
Wolverhampton
WV1 1RG
Alternatively, email litigation@wolverhampton.gov.uk or call 01902 556556.
Anyone seeking to contest the Claimants’ application should send to the court and the claimants an N244 application form, written grounds for permission to bring the application, reasons for the proposed variation/discharge of the Order, and a witness statement or statements containing the evidence to be relied upon in support of the application.
Physical copies should be sent to the above address by 4pm on 6 February, 2024, while electronic copies should be sent to the court by the same date – please contact the court to obtain an address.
For more information about the interim injunction, please visit the street racing injunction pages of the applicants – Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, or Dudley.
Incidents of street racing should be reported via asbu@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk or to West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.
