The Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, has praised the work of the force’s Operation Hercules team after a successful weekend of action against reckless street racers.
Last week, PCC Simon Foster attended a residents’ meeting in West Brom alongside local MP Sarah Coombes, West Midlands Police and Sandwell Council to discuss the scourge of illegal street racing.
Meanwhile, a month ago, a two-year-old boy died and four adults were injured in a hit-and-run collision involving a stolen car on nearby Dartmouth Road, with residents demanding urgent action to be taken against those continuing to drive at excessive speeds.
The ongoing nuisance and recklessness of street racers on nearby Kenrick Way – described as a ‘racetrack’ – was also discussed at last week’s residents’ meeting and, less than 24 hours after calling for more to be done, West Midlands Police’s Operation Hercules team made four arrests, seized six vehicles and issued 37 fines during a weekend of intensified action.
#RHPT responding to concerns regarding vehicles travelling at excessive speeds during the evening/night on Kenrick Way
— WMP Traffic (@Trafficwmp) January 13, 2025
Highest speed captured 62 in a 40mph, all those caught speeding will be prosecuted#OpHercules#Speed Kills@WestBromwichWMP @WestMidsPCC @sandwellcouncil pic.twitter.com/Naf6KIJY96
During the weekend, 16 motorists were caught speeding along Kenrick Way – a 40mph road – with the highest speed clocked at 62mph.
Speaking about the feedback from residents and the action undertaken by West Midlands Police, PCC Simon Foster said: “As I have stressed many times before, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour on our roads and improving road safety is at the top of my agenda.
“The turnout and level of concern at last week’s residents’ meeting in West Bromwich spoke volumes to the need to clamp down on people continuing to cause misery as a result of dangerous and reckless speeding.
“I will continue to invest to make our region’s roads safer and I was pleased with the results of Operation Hercules over the weekend which resulted in a number of arrests, vehicles seized and fines issued. The message is simple: if you choose to illegally race within the West Midlands, you will be arrested and face further serious consequences, including imprisonment, a fine and seizure of your vehicle.”
Sergeant Ade Brown, from the Operation Hercules team, added: “We need motorists to understand that we won’t tolerate illegal street racing or cruising on the region’s roads and will take action against motorists who flout the law and put other road users at risk.
“Our ultimate aim is to keep people safe. People have been killed and seriously injured while street racing and it’s simply unacceptable to put other motorists at risk in such a reckless way.
“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.”
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