Date set for High Court street racing injunction review hearing

The injunction, led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Dudley Council, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council and supported by West Midlands Police, prohibits people from participating, as a driver, rider or passenger, in a gathering of two or more people where some of those present engage in car racing, vehicular stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.

Granted in February 2024, the injunction also applies to organisers and spectators, prohibiting people from promoting, organising or publicising gatherings, or from participating in a gathering as a spectator with the intention or expectation that some of those present will engage in street racing.

The injunction covers the whole of the boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall and anyone found to be breaching it will be in contempt of court.

The injunction may lead to civil penalties in addition to those available to the criminal courts. One man was jailed by the Crown Court for 13 years in November for the criminal offences of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving after two teenagers were tragically killed at a street race in Oldbury.

 Numerous other street racers have received civil penalties consisting of fines and suspended prison sentences for breaching the street racing injunction.

Meanwhile, a vehicle has been crushed following seizure by the police. Street racing invalidates a vehicle’s insurance policy and allows the police to seize and destroy the uninsured vehicle.

The injunction and power of arrest will remain in force until at least 2027 subject to annual review, with the next hearing scheduled to take place on Wednesday,  February 26, 2025, at 10.30am at the High Court of Justice, King’s Bench Division, Birmingham District Registry at Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre, The Priory Courts, 33 Bull Street, Birmingham, B4 6DS.

A spokesperson for the City of Wolverhampton Council said: "Any existing defendants who wish to file any evidence in respect of the review hearing must do so by Friday, February 7, 2025. To contact the claimants, write to: FAO: Black Country Car Cruise, Legal Services, City of Wolverhampton Council, Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1RG. Alternatively, email litigation@wolverhampton.gov.uk or call 01902 556556.

Anyone wishing to be joined as a defendant to proceedings may apply to the High Court, as provided for by paragraph 11 of the injunction which can be found on the respective councils’ street racing webpages detailed below.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: "Street racing is anti-social and highly dangerous – and has led to a number of incidents across the Black Country which have, tragically, caused fatalities and serious injuries.

"The injunction continues to have a positive effect on reducing instances of street racing, and we've seen the High Court hand down a series of jail sentences over the last few months which ought to prove a strong deterrent to anyone thinking of engaging in this irresponsible activity."

A spokesperson for the City of Wolverhampton Council, added: "For more information about the injunction, the power of arrest, the notice of review hearing, and documents and evidence, please visit the street racing pages of the applicants – Wolverhampton (www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/street-racing-injunction), Walsall, (https://go.walsall.gov.uk/black_country_car_cruising_injunction), Sandwell (www.sandwell.gov.uk/streetracing), or Dudley (www.dudley.gov.uk/car-cruising-injunction).

"Incidents of street racing should be reported via asbu@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk or to West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

 "Police are also inviting members of the public to submit dash cam or mobile phone footage of street racing events or dangerous driving via its Op Snap website, https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/police-forces/west-midlands-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/operation-snap/."