POLICE have seized four vehicles after receiving reports of up to 100 cars gathering at a car meet in the Black Country.

The West Midlands Police Traffic Unit team and officers from the Road Harm Team teamed up last night (Sunday February 11) to seize the vehicles following a large gathering at a car park near Mucklow Hill, Halesowen.

A number of section 59 warnings were also issued to drivers which means if they are spotted driving recklessly within the next 12 months they can have their vehicle seized and, if found in breach of the Black Country’s car cruising injunction, they will be arrested.

The street racing injunction, issued following a High Court ruling, prohibits people driving or being a passenger or rider at a gathering where there is motor racing, motor stunts or dangerous or obstructive driving on the streets of Dudley, Sandwell, Wolverhampton and Walsall.

Mark Campbell, lead for Op Hercules, said of last night’s operation: “We seized more vehicles in our latest operation and issued a number of section 59 warnings.

“Operation Hercules is our ongoing action to target people involved in street racing or car cruising where vehicles are driven in an anti-social or dangerous manner.

“We have the power to arrest suspects or issue Section 59 notices which means a vehicle can be seized if spotted being driven recklessly again within 12 months.

“We won’t tolerate illegal street racing or cruising on the region’s roads. People have been killed and seriously injured at these types of events in the past and our ultimate aim is to keep people safe.

“We work closely with our partners on a range of tactics to identify, disrupt and enforce against those taking part or observing. Our priority is keeping the roads safe for all.”

Anyone breaching the ban will be in contempt of court and could face penalties including imprisonment, a fine, or an order to have their assets seized.

Incidents of street racing can be reported to police via Live Chat on the force website or by calling 101. Alternatively, people can email asbu@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk. In an emergency, people should always call 999.