Drivers have been banned from meeting up for late-night car cruises in one part of London after a High Court injunction gave police sweeping new powers to crack down on anti-social driving.
The court order, secured by Kensington and Chelsea Council alongside the Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council, targets drivers who gather to race, rev engines, perform dangerous stunts or take part in disruptive car meets which impact local neighbourhoods.
The injunction applies between 6pm and 7am in Kensington and Chelsea‘s Brompton and Hans Town ward, including Exhibition Road, which has become a hotspot for nuisance driving.
Under the order, motorists are banned from taking part in dangerous or obstructive driving, attending illegal car meets, or organising and promoting the gatherings.
Anyone found to have breached the injunction could be arrested for contempt of court and face unlimited fines, imprisonment or even the seizure of assets.
The move follows years of complaints from residents who say late-night car meets have caused excessive noise, dangerous driving and major disruption in the area.
The injunction strengthens existing Public Space Protection Order powers, which already allow council officers and police to issue fixed penalty notices for anti-social vehicle behaviour.
However, the new order gives authorities far greater enforcement powers by allowing evidence gathered after an incident, including CCTV footage, social media videos and witness statements, to be used to identify offenders and pursue legal action.
The new rules could see drivers lose their vehicles and be issued penalties for failing to comply
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LANCASHIRE POLICECouncil officers explained they will continue working closely with the Metropolitan Police to monitor activity, gather evidence and take enforcement action where necessary.
Councillor Johnny Thalassites, lead member for resident services, planning and enforcement, said residents had been forced to endure unacceptable behaviour for too long.
He said: “Car meets and street cruising are not just harmless fun. They bring noise, disruption and danger to residential areas and show a complete disregard for residents who should not have to put up with their roads being used as racetracks.
“We pursued this injunction to give the police and council much stronger powers to act quickly and decisively, and the message for anyone coming to Kensington and Chelsea to race, rev engines or cause a nuisance is clear – we won’t tolerate it, and you risk arrest, fines or even imprisonment.”
Drivers could be issued fines if they are caught breaking the law by an ANPR camera | AVON AND SOMERSET POLICE
The council hoped the injunction will act as a powerful deterrent to drivers considering travelling into the borough to take part in illegal street racing or organised car gatherings.
Business leaders have also welcomed the tougher measures, arguing they will help make one of London‘s busiest tourist destinations safer for residents and visitors alike.
Steven Medway, chief executive of the Knightsbridge Partnership, said: “This is a very welcome step for everyone who lives, works, visits and does business in this part of London.
“Our businesses work hard to make this a vibrant and attractive destination, and residents and visitors alike deserve to move around without having to experience the noise, intimidation and dangerous driving that car meets can bring.”
Drivers have been found to participate in street racing, which has prompted the injuction | GETTY
“We strongly support action that gives the police and councils tougher powers to deal with this behaviour and helps keep the area safe, accessible and enjoyable for everyone,” he added.
Illegal car meets have become a growing problem in parts of London, with groups of drivers often gathering late at night to show off modified vehicles, rev engines, race through the streets, and perform dangerous manoeuvres.
Residents have repeatedly complained that the events create sleepless nights, intimidate pedestrians and pose a serious safety risk to other road users.
By obtaining the High Court injunction, the council hopes to stop drivers from using its streets as racetracks while giving police stronger legal powers to intervene before gatherings spiral out of control.
The injunction is now in force, with authorities warning anyone who ignores the restrictions that they face serious legal consequences, including arrest, unlimited fines and possible imprisonment.