The injunction banning street racing in the Black Country has been permitted to continue by the High Court.
The decision followed a hearing in Birmingham yesterday (Wednesday 26 February) – with judge, The Honourable Mr Justice Ritchie, finding it to be "very effective".
The injunction, led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Dudley Council, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council and supported by West Midlands Police, prohibits people from: participating in, as a driver, rider or passenger, street racing; from promoting, organising or publicising gatherings; or from participating as a spectator.
The injunction covers the whole of the boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall and anyone found to be breaching it will be in contempt of court and may be imprisoned, fined or have their assets seized. They may also be ordered to pay the council's legal costs of any hearing.
The High Court originally granted the full and final injunction in February 2024 with the injunction and power of arrest remaining in force until at least 2027 subject to annual review.
At yesterday's review hearing, Mr Justice Ritchie permitted the injunction to continue, with minor amendments to the wording, after hearing evidence from the Claimant councils that there was a "pressing need for a continuance" of the injunction.
Pardip Nagra, Wolverhampton Anti Social Behaviour Team Leader, told the court that the injunction had reduced racing and led to seven people being found in contempt of court following committal applications for breach of the injunction in the Black Country over the last 13 months.
Meanwhile PC Mark Campbell from Operation Hercules, West Midlands Police’s tactical response to street racing, described how there had been a 38% decrease in complaints relating to street racing in the Black Country between 2023 and 2024.
Mr Justice Ritchie said: "Street racing involves speeding, loud noise, convoys, racing, stunts and obstructions.
"I find that the order has been very effective in protecting the public, catching criminals, bringing them before the court quickly, and giving them a punishment which seems to be working.
"This action has probably saved lives and very probably prevented injuries - and the councils and police should be congratulated on doing it."
Mr Justice Ritchie added that the injunction will remain in place in its current form until the revised order comes into effect in the coming weeks.
Speaking on behalf of the Claimant councils, spokesperson for the injuction, said: "We very much welcome the High Court's decision to allow the street racing injunction to continue.
"The court was presented with a wealth of evidence about the impact that the injunction has had, not only in bringing the perpetrators of street racing to justice but in preventing meets from occurring in the first place, and we hope it will continue to restrain this anti-social and dangerous activity across the Black Country."
A further annual review of the injunction will be held by the High Court in around 12 months’ time, on a date to be fixed in due course.
For more information about the injunction, please visit the street racing injunction pages of the applicants:
- Sandwell street racing webpage
- Dudley street racing webpage
- Walsall street racing webpage
- Wolverhampton street racing webpage
Incidents of street racing in Sandwell should be reported online to the council or to West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.
Police are also inviting members of the public to submit dash cam or mobile phone footage of street racing events or dangerous driving via its Op Snap website.