The interim injunction, which came into effect on Christmas Eve, bans ‘street racing’, also known as ‘car cruising’, in the boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall.
It prohibits 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.
Anyone found to have breached the injunction by the High Court will be in contempt of court and could be hit with penalties ranging from imprisonment to a fine or an order to have their assets seized.
Councillor Paula Brookfield, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Governance, said: “People who are thinking of taking part in street racing or car cruising should be under no illusions as to the penalties they may face.
“Breaching the High Court injunction in place across the Black Country would be contempt of court, which is a very serious offence.
“As such, individuals could face up to 2 years’ in jail, an unlimited fine or have assests, such as their vehicle, seized.
“In addition, a power of arrest applies to the injunction. This gives police the power to arrest suspects and bring them before the court within 24 hours to answer allegations that they have breached the injunction, so any potential breaches would be dealt with very swiftly indeed.
“These are stiff punishments which we hope will prove a deterrant to would be street racers or car cruisers and therefore help keep our region’s streets free of this anti-social and dangerous behaviour.”
For more information about the interim injunction, please visit High Court grants order banning street racing in the Black Country.
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.
The successful application was led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Dudley Council, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council, and supported by West Midlands Police.
There will be a further High Court hearing in the coming weeks to consider whether the interim injunction should remain in force or be amended. At the hearing, the Black Country councils will seek to extend the terms of the injunction so that it also forbids people from promoting, organising or publicising a street racing event, or from being a spectator at such an event.
Councillor Brookfield added: “In the meantime, the interim injunction will continue to enable councils and the police to crackdown on street racing and make our boroughs safer places to live, work and socialise."
