Crime Solicitors

Solihull Council in the West Midlands has been granted a borough-wide ban on motor vehicle racing, covering car-cruises and including motorbikes.

The council says it has been driven to seek legal powers from the High Court in Birmingham, following years of anti-social behaviour and dangerous driving in the borough – since 2006, car-cruise events have been causing significant problems for local residents, businesses and road users from both motorbikes and groups of “modded” car owners and spectators, in a variety of locations across the borough.

The council says it has worked closely with the police, landowners, residents and businesses to try to stop events taking place – or close them down quickly.

However, the powers available to the council and the police prior to the injunction could only deal with individual acts of dangerous driving, anti-social behaviour and other motoring offences – and were therefore difficult to apply to large groups participating.

With the injunction in place, drivers and their passengers participating in car- cruising or racing motorbikes can be arrested and could go to jail.

The injunction also includes spectators and anyone else involved in or promoting these activities.

The injunction came into force on Thursday (01/09/16).

Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Councillor Tony Dicicco, said:

“I am really pleased to hear we have been successful in the High Court.

“This injunction will allow us to deal with our car-cruising and motorbike issues in a much more straightforward way – now it is banned, anyone taking part, promoting or watching a car-cruising event or racing or driving motorcycles is in contempt of court.

“It sends a clear message to the car-cruisers – don’t come to Solihull if you want to stay out of prison; and to motorcyclists and those with quad bikes, to use them responsibly.”

Cllr Dicicco said the council did not use legal powers “lightly”, but previous action had not stopped the problem.

“This injunction is a powerful determent to anyone thinking about setting-up or being involved, in any way, with a car-cruise event,” he added.

“It is clear that those taking part in these events and their spectators simply don’t care about the effect their actions have on the people of Solihull – their behaviour is appalling and the stunts and racing is terrifying for other road users.

“Car-cruising is not some harmless pastime, as some of its supposedly responsible proponents suggest.

“The events are blighting the lives of many or our residents, causing damage to businesses – and they usually result in the council or landowners having to clean up the mess spectators leave.

“They also take up valuable police time that could be used keeping our communities safe.

“Solihull has said enough is enough and now we have to legal powers to make it stick.”

Duncan Lewis Motoring Solicitors

Duncan Lewis motoring solicitors can advise at any stage of a motoring offence, including speeding offences, careless or dangerous driving, DUI, vehicle maintenance offences, driving uninsured or without a licence.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and a Duncan Lewis solicitor can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on motoring offences, call Duncan Lewis motoring solicitorson 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.