A councillor has demanded action after a gang of kids ‘terrorised’ a cyclist on Hob Moor in York.
Cllr Stephen Fenton, whose ward covers the nature reserve, has called on the police to take action to identify the children involved and also increase patrols in the area.
He said the incident, which happened last Friday evening (8 August), saw a group of children trying to push a man off his bike as he rode across Hob Moor.
Hob Moor, York
The man was confronted by a group of around eight children, Cllr Fenton said. As he approached, the children shouted “let’s stop him”, spread their arms out and then shouted “let’s push him off.”
As the cyclist swerved to get past the group, one girl made a lunge to try to bring down the cyclist and another girl started to run after him with the others egging her on.
This incident comes after a group of young people were seen screaming and chasing cattle on Hob Moor on foot and off-road motorbikes earlier this month.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Fenton said: “I regularly cycle across Hob Moor and it could just as easily have been me on the receiving end.
“I contacted the police as soon as I was made aware of this incident to ask for an assurance that resources will be deployed to apprehend these youths before someone is seriously hurt. As yet, I have not received a response.
“It’s deeply worrying that these children thought it was OK to terrorise someone who was just on their way home.
“Do the parents know what their children are up to? If not, they need to be made aware. As and when the police identify the culprits, there need to be some frank conversations had with the families to make it clear that this behaviour is completely unacceptable.”
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “On Friday 8 August at approximately 9.10pm, a man was cycling on Hob Moor when around eight children would not move aside on the path so he could cycle past.
“He nearly fell of his bike trying to swerve them. The children then ran after the man shouting at him, the man continued to cycle home feeling shaken by the incident.
“Our local officers work closely with communities and with partners and listen to what matters to you.
“We take your concerns seriously and your reports help us to ensure that our patrols are intelligence led, ensuring we have the right resources in the right place, at the right time.
“Anti-social behaviour is unacceptable and can make people feel vulnerable in their own neighbourhoods. If you see anything of concern, let us know – together we can build stronger communities and safer streets.”
If you have any information on this incident, you can contact police on the numbers below.
How to help the police
- Call North Yorkshire Police on 101
- Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the website
- Quote reference number 12250148532
