Scooter/Moped racing on Oakhurst Grove

[Mcad87]

Hi all,

Just wanting some advice and to have a bit of a rant on how to combat an increasingly disturbing and irritating occurrence on Oakhurst Grove.

Over the last couple of months, but more so the last few weeks, there seems to be a group of young lads, anywhere from 2 to 6, all dressed in black hoodies gathering towards the top of the street (where the road block is) and revving up their extremely loud and irritating moped. They are then either racing them up and down the street if they have more than one with them or just taking turns on this one particular bike to ride down the street as fast as possible and break at the last minute towards the bottom of the street. Not only is this extremely irritating and loud, but it endangers any pedestrians crossing the road, cyclists, the large number of domesticated pets on the street and drivers coming around the corner at the bottom of the street, not to mention the kids themselves. They are actually doing it as I type, which has promoted this post.

Now, I understand that kids will be kids, but I do not understand why their parents (they don't look older than 17/18) can't have a word or why these kids have no appreciation of anyone else in the street and/or their own safety at least. These kids are racing anywhere from 11am up to 4am at times, and that has been every single night this last week or two.

I've also seen them nearly crash into my fellow neighbours cars on a number of occasions, and yesterday one of them nearly fell off the damn thing and broke is number plate, not only narrowly avoiding injuring themselves, but also going dangerously close to one of the food delivery vans. These kids are not experienced riders for sure, I myself am a proficient moped rider, with a full motorcycle licence, but I would never attempt to ride at a ridiculous speed down this street, especially because of the blind spots and the blatant disregard for others safety. I can fully understand the rush of going fast and all of that and as a younger kid it's all very exciting, but for gods sake do it in a safe, controlled area, with proper equipment on (at least they seem to wear helmets 80% of the time) and not on a quiet residential street.

Thinking of calling non emergency police or something, but honestly I'm not sure what they can/will actually do about it? I work from home and it is really starting to get on my nerves now, they also continually woke my little 1 year old nephew who was staying over the weekend, which is just ridiculous, the poor little lad was a right grump the whole time I saw him - nearly as grumpy as me now!

Any advice or even if anyone else living on the street has noticed let me know.

Thanks!

Matt

[Otta]

I wonder whether this is the same group I saw on Whateley Road a week or so ago. They were riding small motor bikes (probably 125cc). I was walking towards Lordship Lane, and heard a bike coming LOUD, turned to see some dick doing a wheelie down the centre of the road, followed by 4 of his mates. Not one of them was wearing a helmet or anything else on their heads.

Completely evil of me, but I found myself thinking "I hope one of you dicks has an accident".

[Mcad87]

You know it would not surprise me, the lads on the street are definitely trying wheelies and the bike they had looks pretty small. The one I've seen is a dark green colour and one of the kids definitely lives on this road somewhere, but think they are towards the top of the street.

Just realised it is half term so that may be the cause of their increased presence, but it's still not acceptable and I find it sad that these kids obviously have nothing better to do than prat about on the roads. What happened to the good old days of playing a bit of footie in the park, jumpers for goalposts and all of that!

[KestonKid]

Safer Neighbourhood Team?

[Nigello]

Why not just approach them? Tell them what they are doing is annoying, potentially dangerous and not acceptable. You might get a bit of cheek but they'll likely slope off, flicking you some Vs and spitting through their teeth as they go. At least it will be quiet then.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Definitely call the non-emergency number. Chances are those bikes won't be taxed and insured either.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Because the kind of people who behave like this don't have very good judgement, impulse control or appreciation of the consequences of their own behaviour... and will know exactly where you live.

Nigello Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Why not just approach them? Tell them what they

> are doing is annoying, potentially dangerous and

> not acceptable. You might get a bit of cheek but

> they'll likely slope off, flicking you some Vs and

> spitting through their teeth as they go. At least

> it will be quiet then.

[Mcad87]

KestonKid - I don't know much about the Safer Neighbourhood Team - what's the deal there?

Nigello - Yeah that was exactly the first thing I wanted to do, but the missus was really not keen for me to do so. They're only kids, but you never know these days, and it seems the younger they are, the more volatile and less likely they are to think about drawing a knife or something on someone, wouldn't particularly want to get into bother over it, even as a practising boxer! -I could be Mohammed Ali, but if they have knives I'd be fairly useless! But perhaps I'll have a very cautious word and see if it makes any difference, I have a feeling it won't!

[tiddles]

get the non emergency police round.

[Mcad87]

Yes would have to agree with Rahrahrah on that one, I don't want to stereotype, and whilst I'm sure they are harmless and just have no idea that they are actually being so irresponsible, not sure it's even worth the risk! Perhaps raising the issue with the non-emergency number will help, either way it would be nice to get some peace and quiet and not have to worry about people being hit by these idiots everyday.

[GinaG3]

These boys were causing a nuisance around the hand car wash and Sainsbury's car park on Friday last week riding full size trial/dirt bikes. Nearly hit a pedestrian with child on the crossing between Dulwich Hamlet and Sainsbury's while thundering up and down doing wheelies. Revving constantly, not wearing any protective head gear and all sporting full face balaclavas and hoods. Definitely the same boys, there was 3 or 4 of them when I saw them. Definitely needs police attention before they hurt someone or themselves. Very foolish!

[KidKruger]

This happened a few years ago on the Whateley, CP Road, Silvester Rd block.

First I approached them as a group and asked them to not race on residential roads, I also mentioned the noise. I got a gobful off them, as predicted by the poster above.

Couple of days later I was driving down Silvester and saw one of the ringleaders parking his moped in the front yard. Pulled-up and knocked on the door, the Father answered and I explained what'd been going on. Father seemed apologetic, then the lad, who was already in the house by now, saw me and came running to the front door saying how he was gonna knock me out. I said I don't fight children and the Father told his lad to STFU cos if I come round again he'll get battered. Was a lot better after that. It did seem though that the Father was more upset about a stranger calling round his house than the actual nuisance I'd reported to him !

[Mcad87]

Well it sounds like this bunch of likely lads need telling what is what and that the roads are not there for them to just do whatever they want on. I'll certainly be contacting the police with regards to their behaviour in recent weeks.

KidKruger - That's my concern. Whilst I am a fully grown man and certainly not afraid of these children, I would always want to stay clear of antagonising them (even if I'm not actually doing anything but looking out for myself and my street), as like you said - normal, responsible adults do not fight children nor do we give them a reason to want to (as I type this the kids have returned only to blast down the street and disappear again). It's good that you managed to speak to their parents, as I do wonder why they don't say anything about it. The chances are they don't know, but assuming that the main culprit lives at the top of the street I would bet that his parents are also there, so how on earth they don't notice or hear the damn thing is beyond me. Also, like you said, chances are that they won't be half as bothered about the nuisance than the calling round.

It sounds like these lads have been about a fair bit, perhaps they are even known to the local police.

[Otta]

Doesn't matter if you're a fully grown martial arts expert. Four or five 17 year old lads would be able to hurt you.

[Mcad87]

100% agree with you Otta. Not worth the risk!

[KidKruger]

Even if you can do the four 17yr olds, they'll know where you live and you could get loads of hassle which will escalate the situation. One of the lads in the group I spoke to mumbled something about finding out where I live, but I spoke to him separately when I bumped into him a couple of days later.

[Mcad87]

Yeah, always a different story when they don't have their mates around. But seems to be the done thing at the minute, act like a total prat until you're forced to grow up. Mainly though, I can not be bothered with more hassle than is needed, I just want them to shut up and stop putting other people at risk. If they want to endanger their own lives then that's their choice, but I'd hate to see them cause a real accident because it's only a matter of time.

[muffins78]

These were probably the same guys on Underhill Road on Friday or Saturday, I can't remember. They were doing wheelies and making aggressive noise with their engines. They moved further up Underhill Road after a short while (or a street off it, I couldn't see), but I could still hear them.

I'd definitely not be able to approach them - I'd be had for dinner! Same ol' thing, its crap you can't even walk down your street without feeling intimidated. The other week some kids followed me for a cigarette off the bus, I could sense them approaching me from behind, so I turned around to face them (not in a brave fashion I must add). Its just so intimidating, no mind ill mannered.

[Mcad87]

Sounds like exactly the same bunch, I've seen them down that way before on occasion - that must be where they bugger off to after getting bored of Oakhurst Grove. I'll definitely be speaking to 101 about it. May be best if anyone does come across them that you raise the case - more people the better I'm guessing.

Sorry to hear that you felt intimidated by these idiots Muffins78 - that's really not acceptable that people do not feel safe walking around on their own streets. Touch wood that you don't have any problems like that again. Been in that situation before with kids following you for a cig. Although when I turned around and spoke to them they just looked confused - must have been the Geordie accent! There was not a "blud", "fam" or "ya get me" to be heard.

I'm glad that it is not just me who has noticed this behaviour though, thought it couldn't possibly be just me.

[Rolo Tomasi]

Ok so the genaral concensus is to call 101. So do that and let us know what happens.

Cheers.

[smith 41]

Buy a air rifle

[Salsaboy]

Piano wire, stretched between 2 lampposts at neck height.......

[Jeremy]

I'd question the judgement of a parent who lets their teenage son ride a motorbike around. Talking to the parents probably won't achieve anything.

[Otta]

What Jeremy said.

[Mcad87]

So spoke to the police, they've asked me to keep an eye on things (helpful...) and if possible to get the number plate the next time they are out and about so that they can find out the address and whether or not the vehicle is legal. Trouble is it goes past so quickly it's difficult to see it, but will be keeping an eye out, or if I can figure out which house they are in I'll just go and have a look.

I would advise anyone on here that sees this group acting in this way to contact them to, the more calls the better. There were a couple of policemen roaming the street just a little earlier, no annoying moped noises as of yet, hopefully it has broken down or something, I very highly doubt the police were there because of my call, but you never know.