Car cruising could be banned across Newcastle – following hundreds of complaints about 'boy racers' over the last two years.

Newcastle Borough Council is planning to implement a public space protection order (PSPO) which would prohibit car cruising everywhere in the borough – with transgressors facing fines of up to £1,000.

Car cruising involves groups of car 'enthusiasts' gathering at a location and playing loud music, repeatedly sounding horns, racing each other, driving in convoy or performing stunts. There have been 293 complaints about such incidents across Newcastle over the last two years, in locations such as Wolstanton Retail Park, Lymedale Industrial Estate and the A34.

Newcastle Borough Council is planning to implement a public space protection order (LDRS).

While the total number fell from 182 to 111 in 2023/24 following previous enforcement action, the borough council says that the problem has been increasing again in recent months. Members of the licensing and public protection committee will be asked to approve a six-week consultation on the proposed PSPO when they meet on Tuesday evening.

The report to the committee states: "This is the first application for a PSPO in relation to 'car cruising'. The application comes from persistent issues of 'car cruising' behaviour across the borough despite alternative enforcement techniques being utilised. The order replicates a similar PSPO implemented by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council which looks to address car cruising behaviour."

Wolstanton Retail Park was by far the most popular location for car cruising in Newcastle, accounting for 113 incidents in 2022/23. But barriers were installed on the Asda car park last year, and only eight further incidents were reported in 2023/24.

Other areas, though, have seen increases, especially Chesterton and Holditch, where the number of complaints more than doubled last year, from 24 to 59.

Dalewood Road is another heavily affected road in Newcastle-under-Lyme (Google).

The most affected roads include the A500, Dalewood Road in Lymedale Business Park, the A34 and Beata Road in Chesterton.

The following activities would be prohibited by the proposed PSPO, wherever two or more vehicles are used:

• Causing a danger to other road users including pedestrians or causing a significant risk of damage to property by either speeding or racing
• Driving in convoy while car cruising
• Performing stunts while car cruising
• Repeatedly sounding horns (as to cause significant public nuisance)
• Playing music excessively loud (as to cause significant public nuisance)
• Using foul or abusive language
• Using threatening, intimidating behaviour towards another person, or
• Causing obstruction on public highway, or a publicly accessible place, whether moving or stationary.
• Organising or promoting a car cruising event, via social media or any publication, or attending such an event as either a participant or spectator, would also be prohibited.

If implemented, the PSPO would be in force for a maximum of three years, after which it would reviewed and extended if necessary. Breaching a PSPO is an offence and can be punishable by a £100 fixed penalty notice, or a fine of up to £1,000 if the case is taken to the magistrates' court.

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