Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster joined Operation Hercules officers as West Midlands Police continue their relentless crackdown on illegal street racing and dangerous driving.
Road safety and reducing the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads in the West Midlands remains at the top of the agenda for the PCC.
Last weekend, PCC Simon Foster spent the evening with the force’s Road Harm Prevention Team for Operation Hercules, an ongoing campaign to target people involved in street racing, car cruising, or where vehicles are driven in an anti-social or dangerous manner.
Over the last nine months, 27 drivers have been convicted of dangerous driving, fined thousands of pounds and banned from the roads for taking part in illegal street racing and driving dangerously.
A ban remains in place on street racing activity in Birmingham and the Black Country due to High Court rulings and, anyone breaching the ban, will be in contempt of court and could face penalties including imprisonment, a fine, or an order to have their assets seized.
On Saturday, May 3rd, PCC Simon Foster was alongside Sergeant Adrian Brown with early intelligence suggesting a street racing gathering was scheduled to take place in and around Derby or Nottingham, and not the West Midlands.
However, shortly after midnight, around 100 vehicles arrived on Fort Parkway in Birmingham, with Operation Hercules officers quickly responding to disrupt the meet-up.
Elsewhere, a total of six vehicles were seized, while three people were arrested for drink-driving, having no insurance and driving while disqualified. A number of Section 59 warnings were also issued for careless and inconsiderate drivers causing alarm, distress or annoyance, warning them that their vehicle will be seized if the anti-social behaviour continues.
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who funded the initial launch of Operation Hercules, said: “Operation Hercules is a vital initiative in our ongoing action to combat illegal street racing and dangerous driving.
“I am committed to making our roads safer and reducing the number of tragic and avoidable deaths and serious injuries.
“The success of this operation demonstrates that we will not tolerate reckless behaviour and street racing that endangers lives. Those who engage in such activities will face the full force of the law.”
Sergeant Adrian Brown added: “Operation Hercules is really gaining momentum. With the powers we’ve got from civil injunctions to arrest people and our Section 59 powers to seize and destroy vehicles, we’re making a significant impact and a real difference to the public.
“I can’t stress enough how dangerous, inconsiderate, and reckless street racing and car cruising are. The impact on the wider community and families when there are serious collisions is devastating. It’s unacceptable and cannot be tolerated, and West Midlands Police are committed to dealing with it.”
Incidents of street racing should be reported to West Midlands Police on Live Chat on their website or call on 101. In an emergency always call 999.
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