Solihull Council teams up with police to stop ‘street racers’ and antisocial car gatherings

Solihull Council, in partnership with West Midlands Police, is taking steps to stop ‘street racers’ and antisocial gatherings of car enthusiasts from happening across the borough.

The council has agreed to form a working group with the police and key stakeholders to pursue the introduction of powers through a court order to protect residents and local businesses.

The move, which was approved on Thursday 3rd September at the Cabinet Decision Making Session for Transport and Highways, follows a spate of nuisance car meetings taking place in Solihull.

The most recent event on Sunday 31st August saw about a thousand people and around 500 cars gather on Tesco’s car park in Monkspath.

The court order will make it illegal for activities such as driving in convoy, performing stunts, sounding car horns, playing loud music which result in a risk of injury, damage to property or public nuisance from happening in a public space.

If granted, anyone breaching the order would face being brought to court where they could be fined and ordered to pay court costs.

Councillor Ted Richards, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “Street racing is not only illegal, it’s dangerous and puts the lives of our road users at risk, while the antisocial activities of car gatherings are intimidating and a major nuisance to local residents.

“Our officers and police partners are now working together to stop street racing and antisocial car meetings from taking place right across the borough.

“This is a positive and proactive move which will provide a proportionate solution to the problem and help to protect law-abiding motorists and local residents.”

Read more: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/ArtMID/820/ArticleID/903/Solihull-Council-is-teaming-up-with-police-to-stop-‘street-racers’-and-antisocial-car-gatherings