Comments wanted ahead of Black Country car cruise ban review
An annual review hearing into the effectiveness of a Black Country-wise car cruising injunction will take place next week.
The injunction, which first came into force in February 2015, bans people from taking part in a car cruise anywhere within Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell or Walsall.
It also bans promoting, organising or publicising any such event in the same area.
Next week's hearing, which will take place in front of a High Court judge, will look at the effectiveness and appropriateness of the injunction which currently lasts until February 2021.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: "Car cruising is not only illegal but also dangerous, putting the safety of participants and spectators at risk. It also generates late-night noise and disturbances for people living near to hotspots.
"The injunction plays a crucial role in helping the authorities tackle the nuisance, danger and anti-social problems car cruising causes."
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, physical attendance in court is being kept to a minimum and therefore people are being invited to submit comments and observations relating to the injunction no later than 4pm on Thursday by emailing litigation@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
Councillor Jaspal added: "Next week's review hearing will assess the effectiveness of the injunction and, because of the guidance from the Lord Chief Justice to avoid hearings in person and to deal with them remotely if at all possible, we are asking people who wish to submit comments and observations for consideration by the court to do them electronically by 4pm this Thursday."
The injunction defines car crusing as two or more mother vehicles (including motorbikes) between the hours of 3pm and 7am being on a highway or in a publicly accessible place within the Black Country at which any such vehicle or occupant of a vehicle performs any of the prohibited activities which causes, or is capable of causing, any of the prohibited consequences.
More than 50 individuals have been subject to committal proceedings for breaching the injunction since 2015.
One defendant was jailed for three months, more than a dozen have been given suspended sentences of up to six months and others have been fined up to £2,000.
Meanwhile more than 100 warning letters have been issued and police continue to carry out regular car cruise operations supported by drones.
For more information, visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/parking-and-roads/car-cruising-injunction. Incidents of car cruising should be reported to West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency, call 999.
