City council injunction to ban street cruising – 12 May 2023 update - 15:55hrs
An Interim High Court order banning street cruising across Birmingham stays in force until a hearing on 19 May 2023 after review of the order was heard at the Birmingham High Court on 13 February 2023
The injunction prohibits drivers, and riders/passengers participating in a street cruise anywhere in Birmingham.
Any driver or rider or passenger breaching the order could be arrested immediately, and could face up to two years in prison, a fine, or have their assets seized.
The full terms of the injunction, power of arrest, applications for alternative service and interim injunction, documents and evidence can be found at https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/streetcruiseapplication2022.
Cllr John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, said: “Street cruising is dangerous as well as being a nuisance for law-abiding citizens.
“By working with our partners at the police on applying for this injunction, we have shown we understand and share the continued concerns raised by many residents, about this anti-social and life-threatening behaviour.
“Past court action shows that we won’t hesitate to ensure justice is served upon offenders, who have no excuse for their actions. There are plenty of lawful ways to exhibit and demonstrate their vehicles – but our roads are not the place for it.”
Although the application for this order has been made by Birmingham City Council’s Community Safety Team, officers from West Midlands Police will be responsible for its enforcement.
Chief Superintendent Ian Green, from West Midlands Police, said: “We have been working jointly with all local authorities over the past few years and are determined to tackle dangerous and reckless driving which puts the safety of others and themselves at risk.
“Alongside our partners we do not tolerate illegal car gatherings due to the danger and nuisance they create to communities and the wider public going about their lives.
"We have officers dedicated to addressing the issue from both neighbourhood teams and specialist traffic resources, who are also working with the insurance industry and providing diversionary and educational courses.
“We will take every opportunity to intervene and enforce against this activity and this includes spectators and those organising or promoting these events.”
The Birmingham High Court at Priory Law Courts, 33 Bull Street, Birmingham will consider the case again on Friday 19 May 2023 at 10.30am at the High Court ,Birmingham District Registry. Details of the new hearing date will be put on the council’s website.
The court also granted an application led by Wolverhampton City Council on behalf of local authorities in the Black Country.
If anyone sees any street cruising taking place, they should contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 anytime or 999 in an emergency.
