Permanent street racing ban will save lives - police

Police and councils say the ban is vital to keep people safe

A permanent ban on street racing in the Black Country will save lives, a senior police officer said.

A High Court bid for an injunction goes before judges this month, a joint application between West Midlands Police and four councils.

The law would give officers stronger powers to prevent drivers gathering to participate in "car-cruising" events.

A temporary ban was first put in place in December 2022, following the deaths of teenagers Liberty Charris, 16, and Ben Corfield, 19, in Oldbury.

Local authorities representing Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell will attend a final hearing in Birmingham later this month.

The injunction makes it a criminal offence to participate as a driver or passenger in a gathering of two or more vehicles, at which some of those present engaging in racing, stunts, or other dangerous or obstructive driving.

Punishments include imprisonment, fines or the seizing of vehicles.

The latest application to the High Court seeks to extend the injunction to cover the organisers of car racing events and spectators who attend.

Liberty Charris and Ben Corfield died in November 2022

Ch Supt Ian Green from West Midlands Police said: "It really is a risk to everyone, not only drivers, but crowds and the public as well."

He added an injunction empowered police officers to act proactively, preventing dangerous driving.

"It allows us to deal with offenders, without criminalising everyone," he said.

"We are trying to educate everyone around the dangers of street racing."

In November 2022, Liberty Charris, 16, and Ben Corfield, 19, were part of a group of pedestrians who gathered on the A457 Birmingham Road, near Crystal Drive in Oldbury.

They were hit by a blue Nissan Skyline and pronounced dead at the scene.

Dhiya Al Maamoury, 55, from Solihull, was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was due to appear at Dudley Magistrates' Court on 20 February.

Two pedestrians suffered fatal injuries at the junction of Crystal Drive in Oldbury

"It's heartbreaking to see this happen to two young people, with such a future ahead of them," Ch Supt Green added.

"People seem to think the police are being mean to car enthusiasts.

"What we are trying to do is prevent road deaths, it's as simple as that."

A number of arrests have been made under the injunction.

A 20-year-old woman from Worcester was given a suspended sentence after she was found to have taken part in racing on Kenwick Way, West Bromwich, in September 2023, reaching speeds of 70mph on a 40mph stretch of road.

The injunction application is led by the City of Wolverhampton Council.

"This anti-social behaviour has a terrible impact on residents, they cannot get to sleep or leave their homes when racing is taking place," Councillor Jasbir Jaspal said.

She added the collaboration of four local authorities had enhanced the application for an injunction.

"By coming together we are a stronger voice and have a more focused outcome," councillor Jaspal said.

The final hearing is due to take place at the High Courts of Justice in Birmingham on 27 and 28 February.

Update 8 February, 2024: Main picture changed to reflect cars on a road near Wolverhampton