'Complete lawlessness' over Black Country boy racer problem

Birmingham Civil Justice Centre heard this week how the injunction was sought because the police didn't have 'sufficient resources' to prosecute.

Mr Joseph Giret QC, representing Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell councils, told the hearing there were difficulties bringing car cruisers 'to book'.

A three-year order banning the practice was granted in an effort to eradicate it from the streets. The Black Country now joins Cannock District Council which sought a similar injunction in 2012.

Mr Giret QC said: "The councils have given great thought on how to manage this current issue. It's simply not working at the moment and the police don't have the sufficient wherewithal to bring everyone involved in car cruising to book."

It emerged in the hearing that there had been 31 accidents in the Black Country as a result of car cruising and that as recent as November 16 there had been problems with boy racing. The Black Country Route in Bilston and Moxley; Birmingham New Road on the border of Wolverhampton and Dudley; Flood Street Car Park in Dudley and Maybrook Industrial Estate in Brownhills have all been hotspots for car cruisers.

More than 100 witness statements from residents across the area were submitted as part of the application. Many spoke of their concern about the anti-social impact on their lives with dangerous driving, littering and loud music some of the issues highlighted.

But His Honour Judge Robert Owen QC went on to question what action the police had taken, pointing to evidence given in witness statements.

He said: "I'm getting the impression that the police are seeing what is going on and throw their hands up in the air and say 'well we can't do anything let's go get an injunction', which I'm sure is not the case."

Mr Giret QC said that often those committing the offence of car cruising can't be traced because they use fake number plates and police are not able to get their information.

Judge Owen said: "It appears to be complete lawlessness in these four boroughs where people can't be prosecuted. Something doesn't seem right."

The councils and police had sought a stricter order than previously imposed where those spectating were liable for prosecution.

But His Honour Judge Owen QC had fears about the scope of the order potentially incriminating people who were passing by and stopped to view it out of curiosity.

He said: "I'm concerned to grant an application where any spectator who happens to be there could be arrested.

"It could be a case of 'I was walking along and stopped to watch'. Are these the people you are trying to arrest? These are my concerns.

"They (the applicants) want an order so the police can go and round people up in the car park, run up to them and arrest them while the people in the cars who committed the offence drive off. It is just asking for trouble."