Task force sets out new proposals to stop car 'cruising' in Peterborough - including city-wide injunction

Peterborough City Council is hoping to seek a city-wide injunction banning car ‘cruising’ in the future, which could cost up to £50,000 to put in place.

That’s the recommendation suggested in a new report by a special cross-party task force investigating putting a means to an end of car ‘cruising’ in the city.

It comes as many large ‘cruising’ events have taken place across Peterborough in recent years - often leading to anti-social and late night dangerous driving - and loud noises.

Councillors have been calling for strict measures to be taken to prevent repeat behaviour in the future, which could soon pay off.

On one occasion this year, a woman was taken to hospital after she was struck down by a car in Stapledon Road on February 11.

And, only in July were anti-drifting speed bumps, which cost the taxpayer £50,000, ripped up and destroyed less than one week after they were put in place.

However, it would be fair to say that not all those who take part create a nuisance.

Some car enthusiasts attend to show off their motor modifications and socialise among friends - but the large scale meet-ups, sometimes with hundreds in attendance, often cause distress among residents.

Councillors have said these new proposals are the very last resort following radio silence from organisers.

So, what is the council planning to do to remedy the problem?

The Task and Finish Group, who were set to work examining the issues of car cruising in Peterborough for a new report, have proposed a list of recommendations to tackle the issue.

The proposal deemed the most likely to be effective is a Peterborough-wide injunction. However, councillors will need to work over the next 12-18 months to obtain it.

The bans have worked so-far for councils, including Stevenage and other authorities in the Black Country, so it’s believed there’s a strong case for success in Peterborough.

The report said a city-wide injunction would allow the police and officers from the council to enforce the injunction, either at the time or post event, if the evidence supports it.

The council would need to be the lead applicant to apply for the injunction, which is estimated to cost £30,000-50,000, but external pots of cash can be applied for through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office.

What might happen in the meantime?

As one year is a long time to wait for the police and city council to reach a mutual understanding of how the injunction would work, the report also recommends extending a location-specific ban called a Public Space Protection Order (PSPOs) beyond Woodston.

PSPOs are powers available to councils and police to deal with persistent, unreasonable nuisances and anti-social behaviour that has a detrimental effect on the quality of life for the local community in a particular area.

It means fines would be dished out to offenders between £100 and £1,000 at the likes of Pleasure Fair Meadow car park - where three drivers were banned in August.

This would take around six months to establish and cost approximately £3,000 per area.

Community Protection Notices

Lastly, the papers recommend Community Protection Notices (CPNs), which can be issued to drivers found to be causing anti-social behaviour and can be used effectively where there is evidence of repeated issues.

Although CPNs will require officer time to issue, they have no other associated costs.

Councillors are also calling for ANPR cameras, physical barriers and aim to work with private landowners to deter car cruise or anti-social driving.

The report will be presented to the city council Growth, Resources and Communities Scrutiny Committee for approval at their meeting on 1 November.

What’s been said?

Councillor Andy Coles, said: “I’m quite pleased with the proposals being put forward and quite clearly the way forward would have been to work with the organisers of these events where possible, but they wouldn’t talk to the council and so we had to find another solution.

“We have to deal with the anti-social problems that are caused by car cruising and as Pleasure Fair Meadows car park is on the boundary of mine and Councillor Hogg’s ward, we bear the brunt of the complaints from the community about this form of behaviour.

“The problem is that a local injunction will only drive the problem from one area to another and that is not a solution. Therefore, I’m pleased with the city-wide injunction possibilities; yes, it is expensive, but we can share some of the funding between the council and other agencies.

“The evidence that we’ve had from other local authorities – several in the Black Country for example – is that these injunctions have an immediate and chilling effect on car cruising, especially on the organisers because the matter can then be dealt with criminally.

"But if we really want to get to grips with it, then it is something we must consider – and this is something that has been upsetting people for so long.”