Halesowen MP Alex Ballinger has criticised Dudley Council for pulling out of a street racing injunction, arguing the move goes against police advice and puts lives at risk.
Speaking in the House of Commons on June 9, Mr Ballinger raised the issue with Simon Lightwood, a junior minister at the Department for Transport. He described street racing as a key concern in his constituency.
Mr Ballinger told MPs: "All over the Black Country we have young men driving in gangs, causing a menace and many accidents. I was pleased that the combined authority had set up a High Court injunction to allow the police extra powers to tackle street racing, which caused a reduction in my area."
He expressed concern that Dudley's withdrawal removed important powers "against police advice".
Dudley Council left the injunction in February, concluding that Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in hotspots across the borough provided sufficient powers to tackle car cruising and other antisocial behaviour, including off-road use of quad bikes and motorbikes.
The injunction continues to cover Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall. It was extended in March 2026 for another year. It prohibits people from participating in street racing as a driver, rider or passenger; from promoting, organising or publicising gatherings; and from attending as a spectator.
Anyone breaching the injunction faces contempt of court, which can lead to imprisonment, fines, asset seizure, or being ordered to pay legal costs.
Mr Ballinger told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Too often, we see groups of boy racers driving too fast, putting lives at risk. This behaviour is particularly prevalent during the summer months, especially along the A456, where residents have rightly raised repeated concerns.
"I'm pleased the police have made progress through Operation Hercules – but it is by no means resolved. It is therefore extremely worrying that Dudley Council has decided to withdraw from the High Court Injunction that has helped tackle illegal street racing across the West Midlands.
"That injunction provided stronger enforcement powers, tougher penalties, and a consistent approach across council boundaries to deal with those organising and participating in these dangerous events. Walking away from a coordinated regional response weakens enforcement and risks sending entirely the wrong message – that this behaviour will be tolerated."
In February 2026, Councillor Damian Corfield, Dudley's cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: "The issue of car cruising will remain under review and the council will continue to take appropriate steps to protect the residents of this borough and further curb this issue."
Sergeant Ade Brown, from West Midlands Police's Operation Hercules, said: "Our ultimate aim is to keep people safe. People have been killed and seriously injured while street racing and it's simply unacceptable to put other motorists and pedestrians at risk in such a reckless way.
"We work closely with our partners on a range of tactics to identify, disrupt and enforce against those taking part or gathering to observe it. Our priority is keeping the roads safe for all."
