Council calls for tougher street racing laws
Dangerous street racers should face having their vehicles permanently confiscated and crushed, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has declared.
Full Council has backed a motion calling on the Government to introduce tougher legislation to tackle illegal street racing and dangerous vehicle-related anti-social behaviour.
And leaders of the political groups will also write a joint letter to EON, which manages street lampposts, to seek agreement for more cameras to be installed in relevant areas.
The move follows continued concerns about car cruising and street racing across the borough, including around Wolstanton Retail Park, the A34 corridor and Lymedale Industrial Estate.
Council Leader Jonathan Gullis, who proposed the motion, said:
Residents have every right to feel safe in their own homes and neighbourhoods without being terrorised by reckless idiots treating our public roads like their own personal racetrack.
“llegal street racing is not harmless fun. It puts innocent lives at risk, causes misery for local communities and shows a complete disregard for the law.
Seizing a vehicle only for an offender to pay a fee and potentially get straight back behind the wheel is simply not good enough. Those who deliberately endanger others must face serious consequences.”
In November 2024 the Borough Council introduced a Borough-wide Car Cruising Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which gave the police more powers to tackle street racing and car cruising
Police already have powers to seize vehicles being used in an anti-social manner, but these can, in certain circumstances, be reclaimed by their owners.
The Council is calling for new legislation giving courts clear powers to permanently confiscate vehicles deliberately used in illegal street racing following a conviction, with forfeited vehicles capable of being destroyed and crushed.
The proposals include legal safeguards to protect innocent third parties, including owners whose vehicles have been stolen or used without their consent, and legitimate hire and leasing companies.
The Council will now write to the Borough's three Labour MPs – Adam Jogee, David Williams and Leigh Ingham – inviting them to co-sign a cross-party letter to the Home Secretary and Transport Secretary supporting the proposed reforms.
The motion will also be shared with Staffordshire Police and the borough council will discuss possible joint actions with Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire County Council and the Community Safety Partnership.
Meanwhile, the Council has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling dangerous driving through the Newcastle-under-Lyme Community Safety Partnership, working alongside Staffordshire Police and other partners to protect residents and support robust enforcement.