Car cruising in the Black Country could be banned for another three years

Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall councils will go to the High Court in the coming weeks to request an extension of the injunction, as well as a variation to it so that it applies not only to people organising and participating in a car cruise, but to spectators as well.

The injunction has dramatically reduced incidents of car cruising across the region since its introduction nearly six years ago.

It bans people from taking part in a car cruise anywhere within the four boroughs, or from promoting, organising or publicising any such event in the same area.

The current injunction is due to expire in February 2021, and the councils with West Midlands Police are working together to secure its extension until 2024.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, of Wolverhampton Council, said: "The car cruising injunction has been incredibly effective since its introduction in February 2015, and we are naturally keen to ensure that it remains in effect for another three years.

"It has significantly reduced instances of car cruising across the region, though the problem still persists in some areas and so it's important that the injunction stays in place in order to crack down on the issue as and when it occurs.

"We also want to extend the scope of the injunction so that it covers spectators for the first time. As well as encouraging car cruisers to show off in the first place, we've also seen multiple cases of spectators getting injured at car cruises around the country. And they are not only putting themselves at risk, they are putting members of the public in harm’s way by standing in the road or blocking pavements."

More than 50 individuals have been subject to committal proceedings for breaching the injunction since 2015. One defendant received an immediate custodial sentence of three months, more than a dozen were given suspended sentences of up to six months while others received fines of up to £2,000 and were ordered to pay costs.

More than a dozen respondents have given undertakings to the court.

Also more than 100 warning letters have been issued.