CCTV and barriers to be used by police in West Midlands boy racer crackdown

Bob Jones, the commissioner for the West Midlands, has pledged to support the crackdown in Moxley, where there have been complaints of cars tearing through a supermarket car park and surrounding roads.

Now the plans will go before council bosses in the hope the measures will be put in place soon. Residents say that car drivers are congregating every Sunday night near the Aldi store, in Burns Road, Moxley, and driving at high speeds along the Black Country Route.

Last month police were out in force in an operation to raise awareness of the issue and to deter suspected boy racers from causing a nuisance.

And councillors have been calling for action to be taken. They want 24-hour cameras installed and a barrier blocking access.

The plans were drawn up by ward councillor Doug James to bring together supermarket bosses, the police and council. After visiting the site where races take place, Bob Jones said: "This sort of initiative works on so many levels and will help save lives of local people and even the boy racers who, whatever they think, simply don't have the skills to control cars at high speed on public roads.

"It is cost efficient because it shares the limited spend across a number of authorities and most importantly it gets the local community involved, addresses their fears and reinforces the need for road safety. "

Councillor James said he had faced problems getting the issue to be addressed as drivers congregate on part of the A463 Black Country Route, which crosses three council areas. He said:"It's great that Bob Jones has given his backing. It shows that the police at the highest level are taking this issue seriously. For months local residents have rightly complained of these late night 'race' events but nothing is getting done. I want Walsall Council to work with Aldi to help erect a barrier which will stop drivers meeting on the car park when the store is closed."