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“Mob-like” teen cyclists get visit from police and council officers

Youths branded as "intimidating" - but often, bikes keep them away from gangs and crime...

Police officers and council wardens have visited the homes and schools of teenage cyclists accused of riding their bikes in a “mob-like” manner in Middlesbrough. But while such groups may attract alarmist headlines in the press, often it keeps them away from being involved in crime.

The operation followed what Mayor of Middlesbrough Andy Preston described as “intimidating” behaviour by a group of young bike riders in the north-east England town.

Last month, CCTV pictures were issued showing a group of riders at the corner of Grange Road and Linthorpe Road, reports Teesside Live.

In a statement, the mayor revealed that some of the youths identified had received visits from police and council street wardens at their homes or schools.

He said: “When gangs of bike-riding youths swarmed Middlesbrough town centre mob-handed, blocking roads and intimidating shoppers, I vowed the council and police would take action – and we have.

“The perpetrators from across Teesside were identified from CCTV footage – and we've made five visits to secondary schools to confirm the identity of the youths.

“We've visited 25 homes - with 18 youths issued with warnings and seven made to sign 'acceptable behaviour contracts', which if broken will result in more serious consequences.”

At the time, police put a dispersal order in force, permitting officers to move the youths on.

Preston added: "The majority of parents were supportive of our actions – but follow-up calls to homes and schools will be made.

“Intimidating shoppers for entertainment is completely unacceptable behaviour and we’ve had very strong public backing on this.

“I’m determined to make our town centre a safe, welcoming place for shoppers, residents and visitors alike.”

While groups of youths taking to their bikes and riding through town and city centres pulling wheelies and suchlike may alarm some people and generate negative headlines in the local press, there is often an important social message behind it.

The BikeStormz movement, centred on London, promotes a Bikes Up, Knives Down message and, as we’ve covered here previously on road.cc, offers marginalised young people a different path to engaging in gang culture and crime.

> Thousands of youngsters expected for June's BikeStormz 8 in London (+ video)

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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18 comments

Avatar
Richard_pics | 4 years ago
2 likes

Bloody Kids, always on thier phones and ipads....., oh wait! 

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Rick_Rude | 4 years ago
1 like

In a few years they will have mopeds and the real fun will begin.

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Simon E replied to Rick_Rude | 4 years ago
3 likes

Rick_Rude wrote:

In a few years they will have cars and the real carnage will begin.

FTFY.

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alansmurphy | 4 years ago
2 likes

"But while such groups may attract alarmist headlines in the press, often it keeps them away from being involved in crime"

 

Can't help but feel this would be the defence of a wife-beater 'at least I'm not a murderer...'

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eburtthebike replied to alansmurphy | 4 years ago
3 likes

alansmurphy wrote:

"But while such groups may attract alarmist headlines in the press, often it keeps them away from being involved in crime"

Can't help but feel this would be the defence of a wife-beater 'at least I'm not a murderer...'

But someone who has beaten their wife has actually comitted a crime, so the analogy is at best, non-existent.

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hawkinspeter | 4 years ago
13 likes

Any reason why the police don't deal with the mobs of speeding drivers on public roads? I regularly see motorists breaking the speed limit and showing mob-like behaviour on our roads and yet why don't the police go and visit their homes and have a word?

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visionset | 4 years ago
0 likes

The youngster just need a little education, they can be just as angst and antiestablishment, by just riding down the road solo or in groups in a perfectly lawful manner with or without wheelies. Add in some ninja filtering for good measure and we have a perfect recipe.

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Derk Davies | 4 years ago
2 likes

Andy Preston should remember his days on BMX beat and let them enjoy their bikes. He used to jump over cars FFS.

See Andy Preston, just amazing (can't paste the link).

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P3t3 | 4 years ago
9 likes

From the photo it appears they are riding down the road wreaking havoc on.... Well, nothing really. Oh hang on:
WON'T SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!!

What? They are children? No we must re brand them as "youths" which sounds much more ominous!

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crazy-legs replied to P3t3 | 4 years ago
5 likes

Quote:

What? They are children? No we must re brand them as "youths" which sounds much more ominous!

For true Daily Mail effect, you need to use the words yobs/yobbos, louts, thugs and hooligans. Delinquents is also acceptable but you have to remember that not many Daily Mail readers can spell it or pronounce it correctly.

Also I'm sure that many are balaclava-clad (kind of like lycra-clad but for yobbos).

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FluffyKittenofT... | 4 years ago
4 likes

Bit of a storm in a teacup, from the sounds of it.

Looking at the other story on here, though, I'd be intrigued as to the outcome if they were encouraged to go do their group cycling in Reading.

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eburtthebike | 4 years ago
17 likes

But the council and police ignore the thousands of motorists who intimidate pedestrians and cyclists every day and are far more dangerous?

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Ramz replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
6 likes

Yes, wait until the police discover the intimidating and illegal driving going on in Teesside! Oh wait.

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Boopop | 4 years ago
6 likes

That's two articles on road.cc today that young people have been referred to as "youths". Please don't do this, by doing so you're in the company of reactionary tabloid rags that rarely paint young people in a positive light. My sister's a youth worker has a degree on the topic and agrees. Young people works much better! Thanks.

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Sriracha replied to Boopop | 4 years ago
9 likes

Your sister is a "youth worker", says we mustn't call them "youths"? Couldn't make it up.

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Boopop replied to Sriracha | 4 years ago
7 likes

That did occur to me as I wrote it! I think it's more the point that whenever mainstream media thinks a teenager did something bad, they're suddenly "youths". It's an easy way to "other" them as a group.

Besides, the media started using the word in such a negative way after things like youth clubs and youth degrees became a thing.

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Sriracha replied to Boopop | 4 years ago
1 like

I think in the photo above they are defining themselves to be "other", and I think they'd be disappointed if that was not the perception. Of course, t'was ever thus. I'm sure that in their turn they will question the antics of the following generation. Doesn't mean that the behaviour should not be recognised for what it is, anti-social.

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Boopop replied to Sriracha | 4 years ago
10 likes

"Intimidating shoppers" certainly is anti-social, but it's better than forming gangs and threatening to stab eachother. Perhaps the question should be what drove them to such behaviour rather than simply castigating them. I bet fifteen years ago or so there would have been more local organised activities for them to do. Less stick more carrot.

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