Street racing crackdown: Police hunt driver after cars seized overnight as two others named and shamed in court
Police are hunting a street racer after two high-powered cars were seized overnight as West Midlands Police continue a major crackdown on car cruising.
Meanwhile, two other drivers have received suspended jail sentences for street racing-related offences with speeds of more than 80mph.
Last night, two performance cars were seized after officers responded to two separate reports of street racing across the West Midlands.
The two cars, a grey Audi and a red Ford, both modified, were seized with one of the vehicles only coming to a stop after colliding with another car - but the driver of the Audi fled from the scene.
On Twitter, West Midlands Police announced the seizure of the grey Audi, they posted: "This is what we are trying to prevent by attending reports of street racing. An innocent driver was struck by a speeding Audi before the occupants of the Audi ran off.
"Fortunately it’s only minor injuries this time and inquiries will do to locate the fleeing driver."
The innocent driver was left with minor injuries.
On Twitter, West Midlands Police also announced the seizure of a red Ford, which was seized after breaching a S.59 warning and also being uninsured.
West Midlands Police said: "We are responding to reports of street racing across the force.
"This car has been seized for breaching a S.59 warning and also being uninsured. Warning - Cars we see racing will be stung to protect the public."
The seizures also come after two drivers were sentenced to suspended jail time after pleading guilty to contempt of court at Birmingham High Court on Tuesday after breaching the injunction.
Anthony Paul Gale, of Oakenfield, Lichfield, and Wiktoria Anna Szczublinska, of Reynoldstown Road, Birmingham, were both seen racing in the same 40mph zone on Kendrick Way, West Bromwich, on the evening of Sunday, May 28.
Gale, who was handed 23 days imprisonment, and suspended for 12 months, was found to be going 80mph in the 40mph zone.
Szczublinska, who was found to have been driving at 90mph in the same 40mph zone, was handed 28 days imprisonment, and also suspended for 12 months.
Both sentences were suspended on condition that Gale and Szczublinska both comply with the street racing injunction.
Councillor Syeda Khatun, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for public health and protection said: " The two successful court cases show that we take breaches of the injunction very seriously and that those involved in street racing are at risk of going to prison.
"Our priority is the safety of people and tackling the anti-social behaviour that is linked to street racing.
"People in West Bromwich have been really concerned about street racing on Kenrick Way – I am pleased that two people have been brought to justice for this dangerous activity and it serves as a warning to others, too."
Meanwhile, the high court yesterday agreed to let the interim injunction continue, with Her Honour Judge Kelly ordering that a further review hearing to be held on December 20, 2023, with a final hearing on Feburary, 27 and 28, 2024.
It comes following the deaths of teenagers Liberty Charris and Ben Corfield who died when a car crashed into a group of people in Oldbury last year.
The tragedy happened as people gathered to watch high performance cars drive through the Black Country in what was believed to be an event organised online.
Ch Supt Ian Green said: "We're committed to tackling street cruising and racing in the West Midlands, under our Operation Hercules.
"We have the power to arrest suspects or issue Section 59 notices which means a vehicle can be seized if spotted being driven recklessly again within 12 months.
"We won’t tolerate illegal street racing or cruising on the region’s roads. People have been killed and seriously injured at these types of events in the past and our ultimate aim is to keep people safe.
"We work closely with our partners on a range of tactics to identify, disrupt and enforce against those taking part or observing.
"Our priority is keeping the roads safe for all. We encourage friends, families and neighbours of those driving anti-socially or attending to watch racing to challenge this unacceptable behaviour before more people get harmed."
