Boy racers flouting ban on route
Boy racers have flouted a ban on car cruising up on a busy route - going on a collision course with police which secured an order aimed at ending illegal meetings.
Sandwell Council joined Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall councils to work with West Midlands Police to get three year injunctions from the High Court in Birmingham in December.
It stops people from participating in a 'car cruise' anywhere within the Black Country or from promoting, organising or publicising any car cruising event within the same area.
They launched the crackdown after concerns were raised over groups of boy racers meeting up and hitting the A41 Black Country New Road.
Police have been out in force on the route from Wolverhampton and West Bromwich via Moxley, Wednesbury and Great Bridge.
Officers admitted there are still an issue with boy racers have been hitting roads around Great Bridge.
Sgt Dave Rogers, of the Great Bridge neighbourhood team, said: "A three year injunction by Birmingham High Court has recently been issued which now prohibits car cruising activity across the Black Country.
"Despite the issuing of this injunction and the high visibility signs in the area, activity is still taking place in Great Bridge on Sunday evenings.
"An operation is in place for duty officers to patrol the Gt Bridge area at the predominant times. This operation is ongoing and indefinite."
Sandwell Council leader, Councillor Darren Cooper, today said the authority was working with the force to end the meetings.
"This is dangerous," he said. "These young people think this is fun.
"The reality of it is that the roads are not made for this kind of activity.
"I'm urging people to think twice. These drivers are putting themselves at risk and innocent people too.
"There are facilities like tracks where people can go to do this properly and safely.
"We have a zero tolerance approach to this.
"Anyone carrying out this will be named and shamed."
Neighbourhood officers say they have also had reports of speeding in Toll End Road, Tipton, along with parking issues around Newtown Primary School, in West Bromwich.
It comes after a driver become the first to be convicted after breaching the injunction order brought in across the Black Country.
Christian Cooper-Edwards, of Clockmill Road, Walsall, admitted racing along the A41 Black Country Route and breaching the 40mph speed limit at a court hearing in Birmingham this month.
By doing so, the 18-year-old was guilty of contempt of court after breaching an injunction order against car cruising.
