Would be street racers are being warned that they could face jail if they breach a High Court injunction in place across the Black Country.
It comes after another individual admitted being in contempt of court following an incident of street racing, also known as car cruising, in Bearwood, Smethwick in late March.
Qamar Hussain, of William Road, Smethwick, appeared before the High Court in Birmingham on Thursday 25 April and admitted racing against another vehicle along the Hagley Road between Wolverhampton Road and Bearwood Road. He received a 21 day custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £2,950.30 in costs.
The High Court 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.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: “The existence of the street racing injunction is widely known across the Black Country, but we are still seeing occasional incidents such as the one which occurred in Smethwick in March.
“As we have seen once again, the court will not hesitate to take tough action against anyone who breaches the injunction.
“We know that street racing activity typically increases with the lighter nights and warmer weather of spring and summer, and anyone who is thinking of taking part in this wholly anti social activity should recognise the severe consequences that they will face.”
Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, added: “Street racing puts people’s lives at risk and can lead to tragedies on our roads.
“This is the 10th person we have taken to court for breaching the injunction by racing on Sandwell’s roads, and we will continue to work in partnership with the police and other Black Country councils to respond to people’s concerns and protect our communities.”
For more information about the street racing injunction, including copies of the latest documentation and court orders, including very recent orders made on 29 and 30 April, please visit the street racing pages of the applicants – Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, or Dudley – which are in the process of being updated.
Incidents of street racing in Wolverhampton should be reported via asbu@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk and in Sandwell at Report anti social behaviour, 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.
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, the next of which is scheduled to take place on 26 February, 2026 at the High Court of Justice, King’s Bench Division, Birmingham District Registry at Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre, The Priory Courts, 33 Bull Street, Birmingham, B4 6DS.
Any existing defendants who wish to file any evidence in respect of the review hearing should do so no later than 14 days before the hearing by writing to FAO: Black Country Car Cruise, Legal Services, City of Wolverhampton Council, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1RG, emailing litigation@wolverhampton.gov.uk or calling 01902 556556.