Solihull Council has been granted the legal power to enforce a borough-wide ban on motor vehicle races and car cruises.

The council has obtained the injunction from the High Court following years of dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour caused by car-cruise events.

It had struggled to close down the events fast enough in the past as injunctions could only deal with individual acts so was hard to apply to large groups.

Cllr Tony Dicicco, Solihull Council’s cabinet member for stronger communities, said: 'We didn’t seek these wide-ranging legal powers lightly. But all our efforts have not curtailed this anti-social behaviour. This injunction is a powerful determent to anyone thinking about setting-up or being involved, in any way, with a car-cruise event.

'It is clear that those taking part in these events and their spectators, simply don’t care about the affect their actions have on the people of Solihull. Their behaviour is appalling and the stunts and racing is terrifying for other road users.'

Those in breach of the injunction - which includes spectators and promoters - can be arrested and could go to jail.