Police issue notices to Black Country car cruisers

Traffic cops and officers from West Midlands Police's Operational Support Unit have been out in force on the lookout for gatherings of anti-social drivers, with West Midlands Police pledging to clamp down on the drivers.

On Sunday evening, at around 6.45pm, they attended the Windmill Shopping Centre, in Smethwick, following reports of dozens of cars congregating and drivers causing a nuisance.

Police vehicles were positioned to block the exit from the shopping centre park and a total of 21 motorists were given a Section 59 notice.

The notice lasts for 12 months and means if police catch them driving anti-socially at any stage in the next year, they can seize their car. Also, if the driver is caught driving irresponsibly in someone else's car, police also have the power to seize that vehicle.

A BMW M140i was seized for being uninsured, while a Vauxhall was seized after officers found the driver had previously been issued with a Section 59 notice.

PC Mitch Darby from West Midlands Police's Traffic Unit, said: “That goes to show that our Section 59 powers have teeth and cannot be ignored.

"They are a warning – and if people ignore that warning we will seize their vehicle.

“We take street racing and car cruising very seriously. They pose a danger on our roads to law-abiding motorists and plague communities with anti-social behaviour."

He added: “Over the years we have taken strong action against offenders – hundreds have been taken to court and been landed with driving bans and heavy fines.

“We have also worked with councils in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country to secure Street Racing Injunctions – and anyone caught street racing risks being jailed.”

The High Court injunction covers all of Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country and bans people from taking part in car cruising – including speeding, racing, driving in convoy, performing stunts and obstructing the highway – plus marketing or encouraging such activity.