THE four Black Country councils are set to appear before the High Court next month to ban spectators at street racing events.

The current injunction, which came into force on Christmas Eve, prohibits people from participating, as a driver, a rider or a passenger, in a gathering of two or more people at which some of those present engage in dangerous or obstructive driving or motor racing.

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Anyone found by the High Court to have breached the injunction could be hit with penalties ranging from jail time or a fine to an order to have their assets, such as their car, seized.

However later this month the councils are returning to the High Court to extend the car cruising injunction so it bans people from either organisation or being spectators at the events.

The application is being led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of the four Black Country councils and with the support of West Midlands Police.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: "We are pleased to be returning to the High Court on Monday 6 February to seek an extension to the existing street racing injunction.

“The present injunction bans people from participating in street racing, and we now want to go further so that it also bans people from either organising or being a spectator at, such events.

"This was the case with the previous Black Country car cruising injunction, which proved so effective when it was in force between 2015 and 2021.

"It is of course vital that the authorities have the powers they need to crack down on street racing as and when it occurs and so we are naturally hopeful that we can secure an extension to the existing injunction from the High Court, which will provide a strong deterrant to anyone thinking of taking part in this dangerous and anti-social activity.”

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People are invited to submit comments and observations regarding street racing and next month's application for an extension of the existing injunction by emailing litigation@wolverhampton.gov.uk. 

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.