Watch: Street racer's Honda Civic sent to the metal shredder

The black Honda Civic was seen speeding along the A47 Heartlands Parkway in Birmingham, racing other cars, driving dangerously and undertaking other vehicles.

The vehicle was followed by a police helicopter until the driver abandoned it and made off on foot. 

Police seized the vehicle for being driven without insurance, and as the driver failed to claim it, it was destroyed on Friday. 

Street racing and car cruising is banned by the High Court in Birmingham and the Black Country, and police are working to stop anyone who flouts the ban.

Over the last 18 months, there have been 36 arrests for breaching the injunction, with around 90 per cent of them have resulted in convictions. Drivers have been hit with suspended prison sentences, and fines of up to £2,200.

In September, two men and a woman who organised illegal street racing in the West Midlands were handed lengthy jail sentences.

Other vehicles that were destroyed today were an e-scooter - which was illegally being ridden on Heybarnes Retail Park in Coventry last month - and a Volkswagen with no registered keeper, insurance or tax. It had twice been written off, had a stolen engine inside it, and was suspected of being used as a ‘pool car’ by criminals.

Chief Inspector Keeley Bevington, from the Roads Policing Unit, said: “Street racing causes untold misery and danger to other motorists and people living in the area.

“With so much understandable concern about the numbers of people killed and seriously injured on the roads, it beggars belief that some people still think it’s acceptable to drive in this way.

“With the launch of our roads policing unit in October, we are stepping up the pressure on people who organise, take part in, or attend these events as spectators.

“We gather intelligence from social media and elsewhere, run dedicated operations, and will work tirelessly to put a stop to street racing.”

Simon Foster, Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, said: “I am in full support of today’s operation as West Midlands Police send out a clear and powerful message to those who believe they are above the law when it comes to illegal street racing and criminal activity.

“I know first-hand just how proactive and relentless Operation Hercules continues to be within the region. The new Roads Policing Unit will continue to rid our streets of reckless drivers who continue to put lives at risk.

“Road safety will remain one of my top priorities and today’s crushing of vehicles seized is a stark reminder that criminality and recklessness on our roads will simply not be tolerated.”

The injunction banning street racing and car cruising in the Black Country was applied for by Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Dudley Council, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council, and supported by West Midlands Police.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: "The injunction is playing a hugely important role in tackling the menace of street racing across the Black Country."