Birmingham City Council plans to crackdown and ban dangerous street cruising

Birmingham City Council is seeking a High Court injunction to arrest dangerous drivers and ban street cruising from all city roads this week. 

The council is sending in the application – which will be heard tomorrow (20 December) – and if successful this injunction will be used to bring to justice anyone involved in street cruising in Birmingham.

Those caught breaching the order will face a prison sentence, a fine, or have their cars seized.

The range of criminal offences surrounding the issue of street cruising includes excessive noise produced by modified cars, the danger posed to pedestrians and other drivers by speeding cars, the damage to private property after an accident, the threat posed while driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and antisocial activity such as gang violence which results in grievous bodily harm or death.

Last week (14 December 2022), the High Court gave Birmingham City Council the permission to serve by alternative means while the High Court hears the application for the injunction this week.

After a spate of fatal hit-and-run accidents in the West Midlands there is a call for action from residents to get speeding cars off city roads.

Cllr John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, said: “Street cruising is dangerous as well as being a nuisance for law-abiding citizens.

“By working with our partners at the police on applying for this injunction, we have shown we understand and share the continued concerns raised by many residents, about this anti-social and life-threatening behaviour.

“Past court action shows that we won’t hesitate to ensure justice is served upon offenders, who have no excuse for their actions.”

Chief Superintendent Ian Green, from West Midlands Police, said: “We have been working jointly with all local authorities over the past few years and are determined to tackle dangerous and reckless driving which puts the safety of others and themselves at risk.

“Alongside our partners we do not tolerate illegal car gatherings due to the danger and nuisance they create to communities and the wider public going about their lives.”

The hearing will also consider an application led by Wolverhampton City Council on behalf of local authorities in the Black Country.

A police spokesperson, added: “If anyone sees any street cruising taking place, they should contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 anytime or 999 in an emergency.”