Car cruising targeted after rise in cases

New measures to crack down on car cruising are being considered in south Staffordshire.

There have been an increase in such incidents on roads including the A449 and A460 in the Coven and Featherstone areas in recent months, district councillors heard.

Staffordshire Police said in a report for the meeting it had powers to seize vehicles being driven in an antisocial manner on the routes from the A449/M54 junction to the island junction with Brewood Road.

However signs have been removed in several places and, without them, enforcement could not take place, the study for South Staffordshire Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee said.

Car cruising sees owners showing off their modified cars to fans and can include vehicles driven in convoy, speeding, racing and the revving of engines.

The committee heard on Tuesday a High Court injunction had been considered and such a move would forbid anyone who was a driver, rider or passenger in or on a motor vehicle to take part in gatherings in specific locations.

Police would then have the powers to arrest anyone who breached the injunction but concerns were raised about how police officers would handle a situation if there were several arrests at the same time.

A car cruising injunction is already in place in the Black Country, covering Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall.

Cannock Chase Council had an injunction in place for several years but had recently reviewed it and were investigating alternative approaches, the council heard.

"Although the power of arrest gives police the power to arrest and bring offenders before the court in 24 hours, should there be multiple arrests the police suggest this is unworkable due to the number of officers required," the report added.

"If there are multiple offenders, taking them to court will be resource intensive to the council’s solicitor and cost approximately £1000 per visit."

The council is now considering introducing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in the area.

PSPOs were introduced by the government in 2014 and aim to restrict certain activities in set locations, allowing officials to deal with breaches through issuing fines

In this case, the council heard offenders could face a fixed penalty notice or prosecution through a magistrates’ court with a potential fine of up to £1,000.

Council officer Maggie Quinn said those watching car cruising could also be targeted by the order if they were supporting it.

"It could save lives because there have been a few lives lost of spectators at car cruising events," she added.

Committee members backed the PSPO proposal which was due to go out for a public consultation.

Approval was also sought for the installation of replacement signs for those the police said were missing.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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