Forum Topic

Hoodies with face coverings on electric bikes

Anyone have any trouble from a couple of males on electric bikes with very thick wheels today? Had hoodies with faces covered and looked to be up to no good. Also flew through the red light near Lacy Road causing people crossing on the green man to scatter then later skidding down the high street weaving around cars. Didn't give the impression of being out for a quiet cycle.

John Geoffries ● 881d26 Comments

John, it's really getting bad in the High Street, what they need is some strong men to give them a good smack.

Barbara Stevens ● 880d

An actual living and breathing copper on duty  in and near PHS would help.

Alexander MacLeod ● 880d

"copper on duty"That would be a start. However I'm not sure most would be equipped to tackle these situations.On the other side we are lucky to get anyone given the current risk to benefits to policing.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11964587/Moment-police-commandeer-e-bikes-cyclists-chase-rider-stolen-bottle-brandy.html?ito=email_share_article-top

Ed Robinson ● 880d

I saw 6 police officers out on Friday night . 3 groups of two. Good to see .

Nick Gulliford ● 879d

Agreed. Thank you Mayor Khan.

Michael Brigo ● 879d

Oh was he there as well …….  It would actually be a lot better if our politicians did a stint as a PCSOs so they could fully appreciate what they go through along with the problems the public face.

Robert Wheeler ● 878d

Agreed.

Michael Brigo ● 878d

"I saw 6 police officers out on Friday night . 3 groups of two"Did they look like they could take down a couple of hoodies on bikes?Is it even fair to ask such a question with many carrying knives?Probably not - so how do we expect them to police?As the political parties make it all about numbers - London is a high crime city with high level of violence.This not only impacts individuals but society as a whole.You can not have a green city if there is high crime.If London Transport is unsafe for the Mayor to travel on with a police escort how is it safe for others?How are you going to get people out of their cars where they are statistically a lot safer and on to public transport?

Ed Robinson ● 878d

What do you expect in Khan's London? Khan has blocked the Police 'Stop and search' policy so there is now no deterrent from carrying knives for the yob gangs. Crime is rife and only going to get worse going forward!

Julie Gent ● 878d

oddly popular though for such a bad mayor?

Matt Palmer ● 878d

"oddly popular though for such a bad mayor?"I'm not sure 43.8% of a 42.8% turnout could be described as popular.

Ed Robinson ● 877d

The people made their choice, one way or the other

Michael Brigo ● 877d

Annabel Croft has had her phone snatched by a cyclist.

Barbara Stevens ● 877d

More popular than any of the alternatives though. And that's how our that bit of democracy is currently defined to work.Even with some sort of a PR system in place (like the London Assembly has) you still need to elect a figurehead as Mayor and he was the candidate to receive the most votes.Or maybe you're advocating for a mandatory voting system like Australia has (remember it's "mandatory" to turn up to vote, whether you cast a valid ballot is up to you once you are there, and the fine for not turning up is relatively small - about £10).

John Kettlekey ● 877d

Whilst it would be nice to live in a crime free country/world it is amazing to think that in times of such poverty and deprivation that a significant proportion of the country walk around holding a device that is worth several hundred pounds out in front of them paying little attention to their surroundings.(The latest iPhones are closer to £1000 with the latest top of the range model a snip at between £1199 and £1599).Is it better than we have (the vast majority non-violent) phone snatchings rather than (the vast majority violent) muggings for wallets/purses?

John Kettlekey ● 877d

Ms Gent'Khan has blocked the Police 'Stop and search' policy so there is now no deterrent from carrying knives for the yob gangs. Crime is rife and only going to get worse going forward!'Quite right.Of course Mr Khan in his bullet proof 4x4 never feels exposed to such threatening behaviour.The police should be given far more freedom to profile the types behaving this way, based on evidence based criteria and to act upon what is concluded.If that results in more 'stop and search' so be it.It should be carried out within a formal procedure with polite acceptance of the fact were the wrong decision made.I wonder what the reaction would be if the police felt restrained from acting upon seeing a man in a mask, striped jumper and carrying a sack and a jemmy approaching the bigger houses in leafy West Putney ?!

John Hawkes ● 877d

Mr Kettlekey'Whilst it would be nice to live in a crime free country/world it is amazing to think that in times of such poverty and deprivation that a significant proportion of the country walk around holding a device that is worth several hundred pounds out in front of them paying little attention to their surroundings'.Strange argument.Are all the phone thieves in poverty and deprivation or are they just nasty little thieving toe rags who would rather live off the proceeds of crime than to get a job ?However much someone paid for their phone it is theirs paid for one would hope with their own money.And what is the difference financially and with regard to personal feelings between having your personal property or your wallet/purse taken from you?You make it sound like the phone snatchers are showing the snatched consideration for their well being.Freedom to walk the streets looking at your phone or even reading the Guardian newspaper are perfectly legitimate and to in some way placing the blame on the victim will just lead to our lives more and more restricted by the criminals.That being said I think it good advice always to be wary and stay clear of anyone wearing a black hoodie and a face mask or balaclava.

John Hawkes ● 877d

How about giving the Police bullet proof vests.

Barbara Stevens ● 877d

Most Police already wear stab vests.Luckily this country isn't anywhere near as bad as some others (the US specifically) for gun crime and so thicker/heavier "bullet proof" vests aren't as necessary.

John Kettlekey ● 877d

> Are all the phone thieves in poverty and deprivation or are they just nasty little thieving toe rags who would rather live off the proceeds of crime than to get a job ?Tell me you're a Tory voter without telling me you're a Tory voter.

John Kettlekey ● 877d

Well let us have them then all school children and children in rough areas or council estates, to stop them getting stabbed.

Barbara Stevens ● 877d

Ha, for a minute I thought you were being serious Barbara.

John Kettlekey ● 877d

John, I actually was, but my serious and other people serious are probably different.  We wore Liberty Bodice as kids in the cold weather, perhaps bring them back and put something stronger inside them. Might stop the stabbers thinking it's a waste of time. But then they will probably chop  heads off instead. The world just isn't the same.

Barbara Stevens ● 877d

Not all phone snatches are violent free and those that commit phone theft often commit other crimes too, many will also be armed.A lot of the victims are women that use their phones not just for social media but as a safety mechanism to let people know where they are or to check the safest route home, to arrange an Uber etc - because we are a high crime city.The idea of blaming the victim and excusing the criminal has helped to get us to this level of crime.Other large cities in other countries have far more poverty than the UK and they have lower crime rates.I really do not know what planet some people live on. I often here this type of argument it also an implies the criminals haven't made a choice or in some cases have no free will faced with expensive goods on display. Neither is true, they probably laugh at such views.A mixture of hard and soft measures are needed to ween them off what they see is quick easy money with relatively no risk.

Ed Robinson ● 877d

Mr Kettlekey'Tell me you're a Tory voter without telling me you're a Tory voter'.I would describe my political views as conservative (small 'c') now hardened over the years by the state of society I see around me or read about in the media.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7227ve4e9yoAnd you might like to read views I subscribe to regarding the 11 year old toerags that randomly stabbed and murdered an innocent passer-by.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-13518515/SARAH-VINE-not-austerity-poverty-creates-killer-children-neglectful-parents-society-needs-hold-responsible.html

John Hawkes ● 876d

Mr Robinson'I often here this type of argument it also an implies the criminals haven't made a choice or in some cases have no free will faced with expensive goods on display'. Everyone has free will especially those that commit crime rather than support themselves by honest toil.Particularly true in this country with the record amounts of welfare payments available and paid out.

John Hawkes ● 876d