We've all seen them. These masked, black clad, E-bike riders, from distant lands, who scour the streets looking for mobile phones, handbags, and watches. They have become the scourge of our streets. No doubt the man on the right of the photo was just about to lose his phone!
I remember on one occasion, when I was taking Billy for a walk, there were two characters just like these two above, lining up side by side on a quiet street. Suddenly they both took off at a terrifying speed, racing each other; the acceleration was startling. I had no idea that those electric bikes could go so fast.
When these people steal your phone or watch, you wouldn't stand a chance of catching them, they'd be hundreds of yards away before you even knew what had happened.
Personally I think that such people should be arrested BEFORE they commit crimes. Just the wearing of black face masks, gloves, etc, suggests they're up to no good; no-one else goes out dressed like that! Confiscate their bikes and crush them. We all know what they're up to.
Act first, and ask questions later.
Which side of the bed did you get out of this morning?
ReplyDeleteU
My son was knocked-over yesterday by one of those speeding, be-masked, probably illegal immigrant, Deliveroo riders. He didn't stop (of course). Just sped-off at high speed.
DeleteI am sorry to hear that. Hope your son (I take it it's Kimbo) is alright.
DeleteAs to "probably illegal immigrant" I'd tread carefully. There is that wonderful maxim in law, not least British law: Innocent until proven guilty. There are now many voices, increasingly so, asking to tone down hatred towards those who are not illegal immigrants but maybe mistaken as such. It amounts to stoking a fire where there is no need for one.
Anyway, just for information, only the other day companies like Deliveroo and their ilk declared that they do check out their delivery staff's credentials.
U
A 'legal' resident would have stopped and offered apology and help. They fact that he sped off suggests he had no papers, and would have been arrested. Kimbo is OK, he has a bad shoulder, and some broken possessions, but otherwise.....
DeleteGlad to hear that your belief in the good of mankind hasn't completely shattered. Neither has mine.
DeleteHowever, do you have any idea how many "legal" residents on their e-strollers/bikes/whatever, without masks, riding at amazing speed, on the pavement, coming from behind, I have encountered over the last few years? That I am still standing is a miracle. Well, truth be told, at the moment I am limping.
U
This is common to all of us these days. Luckily I have yet to be robbed or knocked over, but there's time.
DeleteAnyone dressed like that and coming at me would frighten me, terrorise even. Worse that they come from behind, silently, and can be off again in a second. Thank goodness I live in a safe place. Electric scooters here are in abundance, driven mostly by youngsters, but not ones who might intentionally want to harm me.
ReplyDeleteThey really are menacing. They have become a real threat on our streets. They usually work in pairs and have no fear. Very much 21st C criminals.
DeleteWell, it was good of them to pose for that photo.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, I hope Kimbo is fine with no lingering injuries. What a horrible experience.
I expect he's feeling a bit bruised this morning. I'll speak with him later.
DeleteHow scary. We rely so much on our phones, and to have them and other items stolen would be hard. I hope your son is ok.
ReplyDeleteThey get shipped out of the UK by the tens of thousands. There's a huge industry in India, Eastern Europe, and parts of Africa, where they return them to 'as new'. Yes, Kimbo is OK.
Delete"We've all seen them"... Well my eyesight is pretty good and I have never seen one of those sinister bike riders.
ReplyDeleteWell, think yourself lucky. Down south they're bloody everywhere; especially in London. There are even a few in Brighton!
DeleteI agree with you, gangs with intent to cause harm must be proactively stopped.
ReplyDeleteIn Massachusetts, there was one recent gang of E-bike riders of about 100 riding on highways and then into a tunnel leading to Boston. They disrupted traffic and caused havoc. A few were caught by police, and I assume will be charged. This was the first incident I have heard of. Hopefully a good stiff sentence and/or fine will send a message.
I hope Kimbo is ok.
E-bikes were a great invention, as were mobile phones, but criminals are quick to use anything new to their advantage. This business of grabbing phones from people's hands has become an epidemic. One good thing, maybe, is that in future people will be less likely to wander about with their noses glued to their phones!
DeleteMaybe I'm out of date, but I thought that e-bikes and e-scooters were illegal on English roads and pavements unless part of an approved trial. In which case, get PC Plod to size and crush all these bikes, might possibly have an effect?
ReplyDeleteThat is, assuming that Mr Policeman actually knows where the outside world is, instead of chasing imaginary on-line hate incidents from his computer?
No-one could have told these little pip-squeaks that their bikes were illegal, unless they're just being naughty and are pretending not to know. They probably haven't been told that stealing is illegal in England too.
DeleteIf I encountered one of those types whilst I was going about my business I would panic - they look terrifying with their covered faces - So intimidating - flis x
ReplyDeleteThey'd look menacing enough even without the masks, etc. And those bikes are SO FAST; it's amazing.
DeleteToo bad it's illegal to carry mace in the UK. With all the crime I've been reading about, it might be a good idea to make it a legal self defense item to carry, since you can't carry a weapon to defend yourself against the hoodlums.
ReplyDeleteThe law in the UK is very much in favour of the criminal, and not the victim. 'Human Rights' lawyers have turned things upside-down. If you attack a burglar in your own home, you'd be in big trouble.
DeleteWhen this sort of thing happens, it would be nice to have the presence of mind and speedy reflex, to push the blighters off their bikes! In future, maybe law-abiding citizens will go "armed" with suitable deterrents to fight back!
ReplyDeleteOver here in the states, if you see someone like that, you can assume it's ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) goons swooping in to kidnap people here legally waiting for their asylum hearings and working on legal work permits. You have to assume it because these goons refuse to identify themselves.
ReplyDelete