Dudley Council has applied to discontinue a wide-ranging High Court injunction banning street racing across the Black Country, opting instead to tackle the problem using new local powers.
At a hearing today, lawyers for the authority confirmed it was ‘seeking to discontinue the claim’ to continue the order, which had outlawed car cruising across Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall since February 2024.
The court heard that Dudley believes it now has other means of dealing with the issue and no longer requires the protection of the High Court order. Until Friday of last week, the council had been in discussions with neighbouring authorities about its position, but has now decided it no longer wishes to pursue the injunction.
The move coincides with the introduction this week of a borough-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) targeting anti-social vehicle use across Dudley. The new order prohibits a range of activities, including street racing, motor stunts, and promoting, organising, or publicising racing events – whether as a driver or passenger.
Two additional PSPOs have also come into force, covering Dudley town centre and Castlegate, and Stourbridge town centre and Wollaston. These give police and council officers enhanced powers to intervene where groups or individuals cause nuisance, alarm, harassment, or distress.
The orders follow a public consultation last autumn, in which more than 90% of respondents supported each of the three proposals.
Breach of a PSPO can result in a fixed penalty notice of £100 or a maximum fine of £1,000.
The council’s decision to replace the High Court injunction with locally controlled PSPOs reflects a shift towards more flexible, area-based enforcement. Unlike the injunction, which required legal action through the courts, the new orders can be enforced directly by police and council officers on the ground.
Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: ‘There was an overwhelmingly positive response to our consultation, with people backing the introduction of these three PSPOs.
‘We want everyone who lives, works and visits Dudley borough to feel safe and supported as they go about their daily lives.
‘Our message is clear; antisocial behaviour has no place in our community and these new PSPOs demonstrate our commitment to tackling those who cause a nuisance and distress to others.’
Chief Superintendent Gill Davenport, Dudley Police, said: ‘Officers will be able to use the powers within the PSPOs to drive down anti-social behaviour and criminal acts.
‘The orders give us extra powers to tackle these issues and failure to comply with the order can result in a fine or a fixed penalty notice.
‘We know the issues covered in the orders are of concern to local communities and these additional powers complement other legislation we use as well as our partnership working to ensure Dudley remains a safe place to live, work and visit.’
Photo: Perry Merrity II
Leave a Reply