“My 19-year-old son went out for an hour — and never came home”
Father of street racing victim backs Black Country injunction ahead of High Court review
On 20 November 2022, Ben left home at around 9:40pm to meet friends. They planned to be out for just an hour. They had been invited on Snapchat to what was described as a static car meet on a trading estate off the A457.
Within minutes of arriving, a 54-year-old driver in a highly modified car lost control after carrying out dangerous manoeuvres. The car hit Ben and his friends.
His dad, Damian Corfield described the harrowing moment when he had to identify his son’s body. “I had to go and see him. That’s a memory I’ll carry forever” he said.
Ban looked at again today
Since Ben’s death in 2022, Cllr Corfield has campaigned for stronger action against street racing. The High Court injunction — introduced in 2024 — is part of wider efforts by councils and police to tackle the problem across the Black Country.
The injunction bans street racing across Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall is being reviewed today (Thursday) at the Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre.
The order was first granted in February 2024 and runs until 2027, with a review each year.
It makes it illegal to take part in, organise or promote gatherings involving racing, stunts or dangerous driving. Anyone who breaks the injunction could face prison, an unlimited fine or have assets seized.
Call for action across the country
The High Court injunction followed years of concerns about dangerous car cruising across the Black Country. Damian believes it shows what can be done when councils take a firm stance.
He also praises West Midlands Police and their work under Operation Hercules, saying they have “owned it” and made “a massive impact”.
He says people involved in street racing now avoid coming to the Black Country because of the enforcement in place — and that is a positive.
But he warns the problem is moving elsewhere. Areas such as Leicester and Shropshire are now seeing similar activity, and believes the same strong approach should be taken nationally. He says “If we can do it here in the Black Country, we can do it countrywide”