City council granted full injunction to ban street cruising

A High Court order banning street cruising across Birmingham has been granted to Birmingham City Council, after its application was heard at Birmingham High Court yesterday (27 February 2024)

A full three-year injunction is now in place until 27 February 2027, replacing an interim order made in December 2022. The final order prohibits drivers, riders or passengers participating in a street cruise anywhere in Birmingham and now includes organisers, promoters and spectators.

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.

Any organiser, promoter or spectator breaching the order could be summonsed to court and if found to have breached the order face up to two years in prison, a fine, or have their assets seized.

Ten street cruisers have been successfully prosecuted since December 2022, receiving sentences ranging from 14 to 46 days imprisonment (suspended for 12 months) and ordered to pay costs of between £1,000 and £2,430.

The full terms of the injunction, power of arrest, applications for alternative service and interim injunction, documents and evidence will be made available at https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/streetcruiseapplication2022  

 Cllr Nicky Brennan, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, said: “Street cruising is dangerous as well as being a nuisance for law-abiding citizens – so I am glad to see the courts have granted a full injunction against those who take part these events.

“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 Community Safety Team, officers from West Midlands Police will be responsible for its enforcement.

Chief Superintendent Sarah Burton, 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 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.

Copies of the documents and evidence filed are on the council’s website and can also be obtained from its offices at 10 Woodcock Street, Birmingham, B7 4BL.