WATCH: 100mph boy racer caught on police helicopter footage

Dangerous street racers are being driven off West Midland roads by traffic police with more than 50 vehicles seized at illegal 'car cruising' events and over 200 prosecutions launched against drivers in recent months.

Many offenders have been hit with charges of driving without insurance even though their vehicle has a valid policy after insurers gave the go ahead for police in the West Midlands, Staffordshire and West Mercia to seize cars driven in a way that would invalidate the cover.

Inspector Jason Wathes from the Central Motorway Police Group explained: "No insurer would cover a driver to take part in street racing so insurance firms have given us their full support to seize vehicles that are being driven in a way that would render the policy void.

"Similarly we will also seize cars we encounter with modifications like lowered suspensions or exaggerated exhaust systems that have not been declared to insurance companies.

"Motorists, businesses and residents in areas affected by 'car cruising' have told us they are fed up with this type of dangerous, anti-social activity.

"We will not tolerate street racing in our region and are taking a tough stance on offenders."

West Midlands Police has emphasised the dangers of street racing by releasing helicopter footage showing one motorist hurtling down the A47 Heartlands Parkway in Birmingham ? a 40mph zone ? at speeds in excess of 100 miles an hour.

Abdul Khan from Crompton Road, Handsworth, was seen over and undertaking other road users in front of more than 200 spectators gathered at an improvised oval race circuit looping around Saltley Viaduct.

At one stage the 22-year-old lost control of his Seat Leon, which was carrying three passengers, at a junction before being intercepted by police who charged him with dangerous driving without insurance.

Birmingham Magistrates gave him a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years with 200 hours of unpaid work, £1,000 in fines and costs together with a year driving ban.

Insp Wathes concluded: "This type of behaviour is not fun. It is not a game and can have fatal consequences. All it needs at those speeds is a momentary lapse in concentration, or a tyre blow-out.

"Our efforts are paying off and we getting far fewer calls from members of the public reporting street racing."

Twelve more street racing suspects are currently awaiting trial over car cruising charges.