“We had 600 boy racers parked here back in the summer – and when we attended they started throwing bricks and bottles at us” – Sergeant Neil Lloyd pointed at the car park in Asda; now quiet. The only sign of recent activity was the doughnut marks in rubber on the tarmac where some had been spinning their cars.
We were out on patrol with Neil on a Sunday night, charged with controlling the racing cars on his patch, extending from Fort Dunlop all the way to Bassets Pole. We were Cllrs David Barrie and Ken Wood, and it had been our idea to see what it was like dealing with the problems on a Sunday night.
We’d been given a briefing, and told it could be a late finish, but really we did not know what to expect. Recalling ‘Police Interceptors’ and the like on television we might have thought there would be loads of high speed chases with sirens and blue lights going. It wasn’t going to be like that.
The dark wet night started driving round in a police van, parking up occasionally at junctions – not a lot going on. “They just come out of nowhere”, said the sergeant. A few appeared in their souped up cars with snarling exhausts, circling the roundabout near us. A few were pulled in; “I introduce myself as a police officer and ask what they are doing” Neil said. Adding “they usually lie.” One car with driver and passenger from Dudley was “looking for a McDonalds.” Some had dodgy plates – they’d be off to court.
Then at around half ten the numbers built up – with up to sixty in one convoy. Patrolling along with us were units from Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and the Central Motorway Patrol Group in a variety of cars – some marked and some unmarked. The A38 lit up with blue lights as speeders and other offenders were pulled in and dealt with. Meanwhile we pulled alongside some of the convoy – who then began to adhere rigidly to the speed limit.
“It’s like this” said Neil, “we spoil their fun, and show them they’re not going to break the law here.” He explained that with a visible police presence the racers would report the problem on Facebook and social media, and head for somewhere quieter. And that the unmarked cars would pick up those that thought they could get away with offences, once our backs were turned.
We noticed that some groups would break up straight away, with cars going in all directions – making it very difficult to track them. We could also hear them elsewhere in the area. Fortunately a resident had called in on 101 and off we were again.
It’s a big operation for the police, with different units from different forces, different radio channels and a host of other priorities – that night a major incident in Sutton Coldfield town centre had taken away some resources too. But the area was still full of police cars, and a helicopter could be called in if necessary. The racers soon lost interest.
Finally coming up to midnight… “That’s about it”, said Neil. “Time for a coffee,”, but then a van pulled in front with a light out and slowed right down to 20mph. We all agreed that looked suspicious and coffee was delayed whilst it was investigated. Fortunately it was a lost delivery driver, who was told to replace the bulb. Off again – but we never got the coffee as on the way back two cyclists were spotted racing down a pavement with no lights. They were clearly up to no good in a ‘hot spot’ for burglary, and a chase ensued. Unfortunately we didn’t get them despite weaving in and out of side roads. Neil said: “It’s a matter of time, we’ve got a description and I think I recognise one.”
Back at the station we had plenty of questions. It was clear that our patrol had acted as an effective deterrent. We could see that if cars were chased they could go onto ordinary housing estates, posing risk to innocent motorists and residents. We could see how much effort was required to patrol what was a very large area. Clearly calling 101 really helped officers, especially if the numbers of racers and their direction was given. We could hear them, but couldn’t see them without help. Residents calling in details of racers parking in their roads, ready to get onto the fast dual carriageways would also help – and we promised to pass on the advice. We were both especially keen to find out how the plans to bring in a Public Space Protection Orders would help. We’d been keen to push for these, hearing about the problems residents had had with noise and intimidation on the road.
Apparently the ANPR cameras installed throughout the area would be enough – once offenders were identified – to provide enough evidence for prosecutions to be brought. And Section 59 orders could be issued, applicable to both offending cars and drivers which meant that they could be taken away and crushed. Even those spectating could have their vehicles seized. Drastic action, but necessary to stop highly dangerous driving.
Meanwhile a few calls were made – the haul of the evening was twelve offences dealt with ranging from speeding to illegal number plates and one Section 59 Order issued. We all agreed that not only was it worthwhile that a few offenders had been caught, but that it had been worthwhile preventing dangerous driving and potential accidents and injuries. “They just don’t care”, said Neil, “they take crazy risks, and we don’t want innocent motorists caught up them.”
A long evening – we didn’t get back to the early hours – but very worthwhile. And we’d had an open invitation to go back out and see how things were going. But for that night we’d had enough and both headed home for something stronger than coffee! It had been a real experience – thanks to West Midlands Police for being our hosts!