WEST MIDLANDS Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster has echoed a warning to reckless drivers and street racers.
He warned if people take part in criminal and antisocial behaviour and put lives in danger – they will face full force of the law.
PCC Foster joined West Midlands Police as part of Operation Hercules, a scheme which continues to deal with illegal car cruising and street racing.
He said tackling street racing is in his top three priorities and he is working with the force to ensure there is a reduction in the number of people killed on roads.
Street racing gatherings can attract up to 400 people on any night but, the success of Operation Hercules and a new, permanent civil injunction banning meet-ups in the county, offenders are now regularly being bought to justice.
Recently, three organisations behind illegal street racing were jailed for over 10 years.
Speaking during a ride-along with the PCC, Sgt Adrian Brown, from the West Midlands Police Road Harm Prevention Team, said: “Operation Hercules is really gaining some momentum as an organisation and, with the powers we’ve got with the civil injunction to arrest people and our Section 59 powers to seize and destroy vehicles, it’s having significant success rates and we’re making a real difference to the public.
“I can’t stress enough how dangerous, how inconsiderate, how reckless and the impact that street racing and car cruising has on everybody – the wider community, families when there’s serious collisions.
“It’s unacceptable. It can’t be tolerated and West Midlands Police are dealing with it.”
PCC Foster, added: “Preventing and tackling crime, illegal street racing and anti-social behaviour and reducing the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads is a top priority of mine.
“That is why I have been out with West Midlands Police’s Operation Hercules to see for myself the action they are taking to target people involved in illegal street racing.
“The message is clear, illegal street racing will not be tolerated in the West Midlands and if you participate in this criminal and anti-social behaviour you will be held to account and face the serious consequences of your actions, including seizure of your vehicle and imprisonment.”
