Black Country street racing injunction

Overview

The High Court has granted a full and final injunction banning 'street racing', also known as 'car cruising', in the Black Country.

The Black Country area includes all of the boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

The injunction and power of arrest were granted on Tuesday 27 February 2024, will remain in force for a period of at least three years, and will be subject to an annual review.

At a hearing on 26 February 2025, The Honourable Mr Justice Ritchie permitted the injunction to continue, with minor amendments to the wording. This followed evidence from the claimant councils that there was a "pressing need for a continuance" of the injunction. A further annual review of the injunction will be held by the High Court in early 2026, on a date to be confirmed.

What the injunction means

It forbids anyone who is a driver, rider or passenger in or on a motor vehicle to participate between the hours of 3pm and 7am in a gathering of two or more persons within the Black Country area at which some of those present engage in motor racing or motor stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving.

It also covers organisers and spectators, prohibiting people from promoting, organising or publicising gatherings, or from participating in a gathering as a spectator with the intention or expectation that some of those present will engage in street racing.

The injunction covers the whole of the boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall and has a Power of Arrest attached to it which gives the police the power to arrest anyone who breaches it. Breach of an injunction is a contempt to court and if proved the court has the power to impose a sentence of imprisonment, a fine, or an order seizing a person’s assets.

For the purposes of the injunction, stunts are defined as driving manoeuvres often undertaken at such gatherings including but not limited to:

• burnouts - causing a vehicle to destroy its tyres by applying power to the drive wheels while braking so as to remain in place while the wheels revolve at speed
• donuts/donutting - causing a vehicle to rotate around a fixed point (normally the front axle) while not moving-off causing noise, smoke and tyre marks to be created
• drifting - turning by placing the vehicle in a skid so that most sideways motion is due to the skid not any significant steering input
• undertaking - passing a vehicle on its nearside so as to overtake in circumstances not permitted by the Highway Code

Report street racing

Email asbu@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk to report incidents of street racing, or call West Midlands Police on 101. In an emergency always dial 999. 

Supporting documents and evidence

You can find full details of the injunction, including evidence presented to the High Court, the Sealed Order, power of arrest and other supporting documentation below:

Street racing signage

You can view the location of street racing signage around the borough in our map. To reveal the details, click or tap on the green or pink circle icons.

You can also enter your postcode or address into the text box. The map will zoom to your location and show where your nearest street racing sign is.

To report any issues with the signs please contact the community protection team.