A local authority has gained fresh legal backing in its battle to end the blight of boy racers on a Staffordshire town’s roads.

This month Birmingham County Court approved the extension of a high court injunction to help curb ‘fast and furious’ driving in the former mining community of Burntwood.

The move follows a rise in ‘car cruising’ at night and means anyone found racing around the outskirts of town could face up to two years in jail.

On July 20, Lichfield District Council successfully extended its high court injunction on a number of local roads.

Councillor Colin Greatorex, Lichfield District Council’s cabinet member for community and organisational development, said: “We are delighted the court has extended the injunction to put a stop to car cruising around Burntwood.

“This type of reckless, high-speed street-driving is noisy and worrying for people living near to the roads used. It is also extremely dangerous.

“This is why we applied to extend the injunction to make sure the police and council have the appropriate powers to tackle this reckless behaviour.”

Anyone caught car cruising in the area will have their name added to the injunction. If they are then caught again, they will be taken to court.

The extension to the injunction is in ‘perpetuity’, which means it will not expire unless it is challenged in court.

Inspector Darren Oakey, commander for Lichfield District Local Policing Team, said: “The injunction defines car cruising as a congregation of drivers, of two or more vehicles, between the hours of 7pm and 7am on the roads outlined. Other unacceptable activities include car racing, shouting or swearing, blocking off roads, dropping litter, playing loud music, sounding horns and more.”