Review of Black Country street racing ban set for next month

The injunction prohibits people from participating, as a driver, rider or passenger, in a gathering of two or more people where some of those present engage in car racing, vehicular stunts or other dangerous or obstructive driving. 

It is led by the City of Wolverhampton Council on behalf of Dudley Council, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council and supported by West Midlands Police.

The High Court has ordered that the injunction and power of arrest should remain in force until at least May 2026 subject to annual review at which the injunction may be renewed,. It said  the next review hearing will take place on Thursday 26 February, 2026, at 10.30am at the High Court of Justice, King’s Bench Division, Birmingham District Registry at Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre, The Priory Courts, 33 Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6DS.

The injunction also prohibits 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.

It covers the whole of the boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall and anyone found to be breaching it will be in contempt of court and may be imprisoned, fined or have their assets seized. They may also be ordered to pay the council's legal costs of any hearing.

Since it was first introduced in 2015, 54 people have admitted breaching or been found to have breached the injunction across the four Black Country council areas. A dozen more have given undertakings to the court to comply with the terms of the injunction.

Speaking on behalf of the claimant councils, councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: "Street racing is anti-social and highly dangerous – and has led to a number of incidents across the Black Country which have, tragically, caused fatalities and serious injuries.

 "Only last week, we saw another driver brought before the court for racing others at twice the speed limit along roads in Sandwell, and who was given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay over £2,500 in costs.

 "This goes to shows the important role the injunction has to play, and the positive effect it is continuing to have in helping tackle street racing in the Black Country."

Any existing defendants who wish to file any evidence in respect of the review hearing must do so by Friday 6 February, 2026. 

 For more information, including a copy of the injunction and the power of arrest, the notice of review hearing, and updated documents and evidence for the review hearing, please visit the street racing pages of the applicants:

 Wolverhampton: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/street-racing-injunction

Walsall: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/black_country_car_cruising_injunction

Sandwell: www.sandwell.gov.uk/streetracing

Dudley: www.dudley.gov.uk/car-cruising-injunction.

Police are also inviting members of the public to submit dash cam or mobile phone footage of street racing events or dangerous driving via its Op Snap website, https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/police-forces/west-midlands-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/operation-snap/.