High Court bans late-night car meets across Kensington and Chelsea

Residents in Kensington and Chelsea will no longer face late-night car meets after the council secured a High Court injunction. The order, granted on 12 September 2024, prohibits gatherings where drivers race, perform stunts or rev engines between 6 pm and 7 am. It applies to seven wards: Hyde Park, St James’s, West End, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, the City of Westminster and Brompton and Hans Town.

The injunction allows police to use CCTV footage, social media posts or witness statements to prove breaches. Drivers caught organising, promoting or attending such meets could face arrest, fines or imprisonment. The council worked with the Metropolitan Police and Westminster Council to obtain the order.

Why the injunction was sought

Councillor Johnny Thalassites, Kensington and Chelsea’s lead member for resident services, planning and enforcement, said the meets were not harmless. He stated that they bring noise, disruption and danger to residential areas. Residents have reported drivers performing doughnuts near homes, turning streets into racetracks.

The council first highlighted the issue in 2022, when drivers were spotted performing stunts in residential areas. Thalassites said the injunction would give police and the council stronger powers to act quickly. He warned that anyone coming to the borough to race or cause a nuisance risks arrest.

What the injunction covers

The order prohibits organising, promoting or attending car meets involving dangerous or obstructive driving. It also bans engine revving, racing and stunts on highways or public spaces within the specified wards. The injunction does not apply to authorised events, such as motorsport competitions held under licence.

Police can now use retrospective evidence, such as social media posts or CCTV footage, to prosecute breaches. The council has not disclosed the maximum fine or prison term, but breaches of High Court injunctions can result in unlimited fines or up to two years in prison.

What happens next

The injunction is now in force. Kensington and Chelsea Council said it will monitor compliance and work with police to enforce the order. Residents can report breaches to the council or the Metropolitan Police. The council has not announced plans for additional signage or public awareness campaigns, but it may consider these if violations continue.