15 warnings in just four hours in Black Country car cruising crackdown

'You will be arrested' was the stark warning given to suspected 'car cruisers' stopped by officers last night at a number of car cruising 'hotspots'.

The Black Country Route in Bilston, Birmingham New Road in Wolverhampton, and areas of Walsall, Darlaston and Dudley were all focus points for the police.

Those who received warning were advised that if they were caught again they could be arrested and face a jail sentence.

Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall councils, working in partnership with West Midlands Police, secured the three year injunction from the High Court in Birmingham on Monday December 1, 2014.

The injunction forbids people from participating in a 'car cruise' - the act of drivers meeting to race or show off in their cars - anywhere within the four boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall - or from promoting, organising or publicising any car cruising event within the same area.

Inspector Tracy Meir, from Wolverhampton police station, said: "Last night's operation involved a lot of hard work and co-ordination by all officers and partners within the Black Country and is just the start of our work.

"We issued warning to drivers believed to be involved in car cruising with the promise that they will either have their cars seized and/or be arrested if they are caught in our area again.

"The new injunction means we now have a power of arrest and those found engaging or participating in car cruising anywhere within the Black Country will be guilty of contempt of court and can be sent to prison for up to two years. Not only could they lose their cars but they could also lose their liberty."

Inspector Meir, added: "The injunction has been granted following considerable work completed by the four Black Country local authorities and West Midlands Police.

"It is expected that the issuing of the injunction will not only have a positive impact on the quality of life of local residents, it will also help to ensure the roads and public spaces across the Black Country remain safe and protected from car cruising activity.

"Many local residents have endured years of excessive noise from the poorly maintained and on occasion illegally modified vehicles as well as verbal abuse and intimidation from 'boy racers' and spectators.

"We will continue to run these operations for the duration of the injunction and ask for members of the public to report any incidents of car cruising."

Speaking on behalf of the partners, councillor Elias Mattu, the City of Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for leisure and communities, said: "Car cruising has been a bone of contention for local residents and businesses for many years.

"The activities are not only wholly anti-social, but also illegal and dangerous, putting the safety of participants and spectators at risk. We want to put a stop to the menace of car cruising which is making life a misery for so many people across the Black Country."

Anyone affected by car cruising is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively people can leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers the independent charity on 0800 555 111.