Published: Wednesday 24 June 2026
Kensington and Chelsea Council has secured a High Court injunction to crack down on late-night car meets, helping protect residents from dangerous driving, excessive noise and disruption in affected parts of the borough.
The injunction, secured by the Council working with the Metropolitan Police and neighbouring Westminster City Council, targets drivers who gather late at night to race, rev engines, perform stunts or take part in other anti-social driving.
In Kensington and Chelsea, the order applies between 6pm and 7am and covers the Brompton and Hans Town ward, including Exhibition Road which has been significantly impacted by nuisance driving.
The injunction prohibits people from taking part in car meets involving dangerous or obstructive driving, as well as from attending the gatherings or from organising or promoting them.
Anyone found to have breached the order could be treated as being in contempt of court and be arrested, with penalties including imprisonment, unlimited fines or the seizure of assets.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, lead member for resident services, planning, and enforcement, said:
“Car meets and street cruising are not just harmless fun. They bring noise, disruption and danger to residential areas and show a complete disregard for residents who should not have to put up with their roads being used as racetracks.
“We pursued this injunction to give the police and council much stronger powers to act quickly and decisively, and the message for anyone coming to Kensington and Chelsea to race, rev engines or cause a nuisance is clear – we won’t tolerate it and you risk arrest, fines or even imprisonment.”
Steven Medway, CEO of the Knightsbridge Partnership, said:
“This is a very welcome step for everyone who lives, works, visits and does business in this part of London.
“Our businesses work hard to make this a vibrant and attractive destination, and residents and visitors alike deserve to move around without having to experience the noise, intimidation and dangerous driving that car meets can bring.
“We strongly support action that gives the police and councils tougher powers to deal with this behaviour and helps keep the area safe, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”
What powers does the injunction provide?
The injunction strengthens existing Public Space Protection Order powers, which already allow officers and police to issue fixed penalty notices for anti-social vehicle behaviour.
The new order provides a tougher deterrent and allows evidence from CCTV, social media or witness statements to be used retrospectively where a breach has taken place.
The Council will continue working with the Metropolitan Police and partners to identify breaches, gather evidence and take enforcement action where necessary.