VEHICLE racing and car and motorbike cruising have been banned across Solihull for a further three years by the High Court in Birmingham.
Solihull Council says it was driven to seek an injunction from the High Court in 2016 following many years of anti-social behaviour and extremely dangerous driving.
From 2006 to 2016 a number of car-cruise events caused significant problems for residents, businesses and motorists from both motorbikes, and groups of ‘modded’ (modified) car owners and spectators across Solihull.
In 2016 the council applied for the first injunction after finding out only individual acts of dangerous driving, anti-social behaviour could be dealt with, which were difficult to apply to the large groups participating.
Now, three years later, the injunction will remain place until noon on September 1 2022.
Any drivers and their passengers participating in car-cruising or racing motor bikes within the borough can be arrested and could be handed a jail sentence.
The injunction also includes spectators and anyone else involved in or promoting these activities.
Councillor Alison Rolf, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “It is great news to hear we have been successful in the High Court getting our current borough-wide injunction extended for another three years. This injunction has proved to be a deterrent to the blight of car cruising on our streets.
“It has also allowed us to deal with incidents of car-cruising and motor bike issues in a much more straightforward way, as the recent prosecution has demonstrated.
“With the injunction in place, anyone taking part, promoting or watching a car-cruising event or racing or driving motor cycles is essentially in contempt of court.
“We didn’t seek these wide-ranging legal powers without due consideration. But we had to act. This injunction is a powerful deterrent to anyone thinking about setting-up or being involved, in any way, with a car-cruise event.
“Car-cruising is not some harmless pastime, as some of its supposedly ‘responsible’ proponents suggest.
“The events can blight the lives of residents, cause damage to businesses and usually end up with the Council or landowners having to foot the bill for clearing up the mess spectators leave.
“Solihull said enough is enough in 2016 and we are now saying it again; don’t come to Solihull if you want to stay out of prison. And to motor cyclists and those with quad bikes, to use them responsibly.”
Anyone concerned about car-cruising or anti-social motor bike activities should call Police on 101 quoting Operation Kickstart or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Alternatively visit the Safer Solihull website https://eservices.solihull.gov.uk/SMBCWebForms/?Form=Intel_Public to provide information.
