City council interim injunction to ban street cruising remains in place

An interim High Court order banning street cruising across Birmingham will remain in place until a final hearing is held following a review at Birmingham High Court on 4 October 2023.

This injunction, prohibiting drivers or motorcycle riders or passengers from taking part in street cruises anywhere in Birmingham, has been in place since December 2022.

Any driver, motorcycle 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.

Since the interim order was awarded last December, a number of participants have been successfully prosecuted, resulting in sentences ranging from 14 to 46 days imprisonment (suspended for 12 months) and ordered to pay costs of between £1,000 and £1,700.

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 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.

“While the current order remains in place, I would like to see the courts take public concerns into consideration and grant a full injunction, outlawing street cruises for good across our city.

“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.”.

Birmingham High Court also continued an interim order previously granted to Wolverhampton City Council on behalf of local authorities in the Black Country.

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.

The next hearing will take place at the High Court in Bull Street, Birmingham at 10.30am on 20 December 2023.

The case is listed for trial on the 27 and 28 February 2024.

The council’s contact details are Birmingham City Council Legal and Governance, PO Box 15992 B2 2UQ quoting ref LS/CSY/HM/210929. Alternatively, call 0121 303 2808 or send an email to HousingLitigationTeam@birmingham.gov.uk

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

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.