i would avoid hams hall these days now if you like you licence..
25 August 2009 10:10
A judge at Birmingham High Court has banned Car Cruising in part of North Warwickshire following an eight year-battle to solve the problem.
Warwickshire County Council, supported by Warwickshire Police, applied for an injunction under Section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972, to prohibit the highly dangerous activity and all associated anti-social behaviour around the Hams Hall area.
On Friday 21 August 2009, the county council was successful with its application, which has now come in to effect and will last for two years, banning excessive noise, danger to other road users and pedestrians, damage or risk of damage to private property, litter, and nuisance to other persons not participating in a car cruise.
Cllr Richard Hobbs, Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, said: "Over the last eight years, the county council and police have tried numerous measures to stop the anti-social behaviour associated with car cruising such as speeding and excessive noise, which have caused nuisance to residents, businesses and other road users.
"However, because of the sheer numbers of participants it has often been difficult to take the most appropriate action until now. This injunction is the latest and most forceful attempt to put an end to the problem, leaving residents and businesses to enjoy a much safer community once again." Inspector Glen Belcher from Warwickshire Police, said: "The problem of car cruising has caused significant disruption for those who reside and work in the vicinity of the Hams Hall industrial estate.
"The injunction, which has been obtained as a result of excellent multi agency working, will allow for those gathering for such anti social purposes to be dealt with in an appropriate manner. This will result in an improved quality of life for those affected while making the area safer for all.
"The police will now be working with our partner agencies and with the businesses on the Hams Hall Business Park to see the injunction is enforced effectively."
Anyone caught breaking the injunction will be �in contempt of court' which can be punished with the seizure of their vehicle, a large fine or even a prison sentence. - Ends -
For media enquiries please contact Stuart Goodwin at the Warwickshire County Council press office on 01926 414168.
Editors Notes
According to Schedule 2 of the injunction, (1) a car cruise means �a congregation of drivers of two or more motor-vehicles (including motor-cycles) between the hours of 7pm and 7am on the public highway or at any place to which the public have access within the part of the boundaries of Warwickshire, at which any such driver (and/or passenger and/or any driver and/or passenger of any other vehicle) perform any of the activities set out a para.2 below, so as, by such conduct, to cause any of the following: (i) Excessive noise; (ii) danger to other road users (including pedestrians); (iii) damage or the risk of damage to private property; (iv) litter; (v) any nuisance to another person not participating in the car-cruise.
1. The activities referred to at para.1, above, are:
driving at excessive speed
"driving in convoy"
racing other motor-vehicles
performing stunts in motor-vehicles
sounding horns or playing radios
dropping litter
shouting or swearing at, or abusing, threatening or otherwise intimidating (including by the use of sexual language or making sexual suggestions) another person
Participating in a �Car-Cruise'
1. A person participates in a car cruise when he/she is the driver of, or passenger in, a vehicle to which paras.1-2 apply, and the term �participating in a Car-Cruise' shall be interpreted accordingly.
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Kate Turner