Birmingham City Council seeks injunction to ban street cruising - including jail if flouted

Birmingham City Council is seeking a High Court order to ban street cruising from all city roads, with an interim application to be heard in the Royal Courts of Justice in London tomorrow (Tuesday December 20).

If successful this interim injunction will prohibit people from participating in, which includes spectating, at a street cruise in Birmingham.

Anyone breaching the order could be arrested and face up to two years in prison, a fine, or have their assets seized. Last week (14 December 2022), the court gave the council permission to serve by alternative means.

The hearing will also consider an application led by Wolverhampton City Council on behalf of local authorities in the Black Country.

Although the application for this order has been made by Birmingham City Council, officers from West Midlands Police will be responsible for its enforcement.

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.”

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.”

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.

In the event of any further hearings, anyone wanting to take part in those should file an acknowledgement of service – a form to show individuals wish to take part - by 4pm on 20 January 2023.

The council’s contact details are: Birmingham City Council Legal and Governance, PO Box 15992 B2 2UQ quoting ref LS/CSY/HM/150673. Alternatively, call 0121 303 2808 or send an email to [email protected]