Since the injunction was first introduced in December 2024, six drivers have been prosecuted

Council leader Ergin Erbil beside the A10 (credit Enfield Council)

Enfield Council has welcomed a High Court decision to uphold the borough-wide injunction banning ‘car cruising’.

The council and Metropolitan Police were initially granted extra powers by the court to deal with dangerous driving and antisocial behaviour back in December 2024, with a review needing to take place a year later.

That review has now taken place – with the order successfully being renewed for another twelve months.

For many years so-called ‘car meets’ have been taking place on large car parks in Enfield, often along the A10 but also recently spreading elsewhere, in which selfish drivers with souped-up vehicles show off by doing doughnuts and ‘popping’ their exhausts. For residents living nearby, and also for some not living nearby, the noise from such events can sound like machine gun fire.

The court injunction bans people from “gathering to engage in, participate in, promote or organise motor racing, motor stunts or other forms of dangerous driving on Enfield’s roads and public spaces”. It means drivers taking part in such activity can face arrest and criminal sanctions, including imprisonment.

As well as car meets, the injunction covers illegal driving like street racing. Last June two people were fined over £10,000 after being caught by Met Police officers driving in convoy at high speed along Clay Hill.

Following the latest hearing in December, the High Court ruled that the injunction will remain in force and reviewed annually. The council was able to show “how effective the injunction has been” in tackling dangerous driving, reducing noise pollution, protecting residents, businesses and visitors from the “serious risks linked to illegal racing and car cruising”.

Since the injunction was first introduced in December 2024, six people in total have been prosecuted for breaching the order.

Gina Needs, cabinet member for community cohesion and enforcement, said: “We are working every day to achieve safer streets.

“This is one of many steps we’re taking towards tackling speeding, noise pollution and dangerous driving in our borough. We have been able to demonstrate that this injunction has a positive impact on road safety and community wellbeing.

“We are absolutely committed to using all available legal powers to create safer streets and to protect our residents.”

James Hockney, a Conservative councillor for Bush Hill Park who has campaigned on various road safety issues over the last few years, said: “This is very welcome news and continues the steps in tackling dangerous driving and illegal car meets.

“The car meets injunction was one of several key aims for the ‘charter for action’ campaign. This was a campaign that I launched with local Conservatives and the community – which called on action from the Mayor of London and Enfield Council.

“The injunction combined with the A10 average speed cameras has made a real difference – and many residents have mentioned how much quieter it is now. There is still more to be done – but this is good news.”

Residents are encouraged to report dangerous driving and antisocial behaviour by calling police on 101 or by submitting a report on the Met Police website.

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