Rise in Feral Gangs of Teenagers - Is this UK Wide?

[Feralgroups]

Are all areas of the UK seeing a rise in feral and uncontrollable gangs of teenagers - leading up to and particularly problematic last night (so-called "Mischief Night?")

Where I live this has been a growing problem in ALL areas of our county - both in affluent and less affluent areas.

I am particularly concerned as I am a key worker who is trying to shield as much as possible but will be having to continue to work with such groups who clearly are not.

In addition, it is as though they have finally realised the Police have no control over their numbers. They no longer even care that they are filmed and (rightly or wrongly) then plastered, faces uncovered, all over Social Media. They are even posting themselves, boasting about their exploits.

As far as I am concerned this is one of the biggest problems to arise during the COVID situation.

No different to usual where I am (very non-affluent area) 2 of my teens are currently in bed watching horror movies, the other two are mucking out their animals as they are every day.

I'll attach just a handful of pictures from last night. Cars being tipped over, fireworks being fired at houses in the estate (stillshot from video), bus vandalism, brick through front window of a home where a three year old lives...

@Marzipan12

It's a very small minority which gives every other teen a bad name unfortunately.

Absolutely. Very well said.

...

Much as I worry about this as it's on my doorstep I'm glad to hear it sounds like an isolated problem.

Dare I ask where you are?

@Holyrivolli or these little shits could just behave themselves without certain areas of the adult community trying justify their behaviour as an obvious side effect of covid. Covid has meant some restrictions on their lives. Diddums. Doesn’t excuse them being cunts.

I'm in the North West.

I haven’t noticed this no.

Feral gangs of teenagers have been around for years, the odd group here and there is nothing new. I certainly haven’t noticed a wild surge.

You definitely have something weird going on in your area.

I've lived in this area my entire life and I guarantee you this is definitely a wild surge!

We haven’t had any issues here but mischief night isn’t until 4th Nov so we might see an increase then

Mischief Night is 30th October here for some reason.

I’ve lived in over a dozen locations up and down the UK, from extremely deprived to very affluent. The level of feral behaviour is tied to the level of economic affluence IME.
Theft, vandalism, rioting, scary pack behaviour and general not feeling safe after dark has always been greater in the more deprived areas I’ve lived in. If you have nothing to lose, what’s to fear?

Mischief Night isn't really a thing here in the SE. I haven't noticed any increase in teens roaming about here either, although the website for the nearest thing to a local paper in these parts tells me that 15 youths were involved in a brawl in a branch of Burger King on Monday.

There don't seem to be any trick or treaters around either.

I think you tend to get years where you get really bad groups of kids and other years you don't. I lived in lpool in late 90s and it could be terrifying in certain places. A few years ago in another Merseyside town there were pretty much riots at Halloween. Those teenagers are probably parents themselves now and wondering wtf they were playing at.

We have had a recent spate of teenage trouble in the village. Vandalism and theft from the local shop.

I guess they are bored!

Don't know about a surge but it's the same where I am (Scotland). Live in a relatively nice area, the gangs are from out of area and yeah they don't give a shit if they're being filmed. Damaging property and theft is fairly rife. There have certainly always been gangs of teens causing trouble but when I was growing up it was usually aimed at other gangs of teens rather than mindlessly damaging and stealing other's property. The bike theft round here since lockdown is unreal.

Mischievous night is 4th nov

This isn't so much feral teenagers, generations of youth have always appeared out of control and every generation is labelled worse than the last. I can only speak to what I know, I had never heard of "Mischief Night" until I came to live in Merseyside. I understand it used to be swapping the neighbours bins or tying gate together etc. Its a long time since its been that, It is now an organised night of criminal damage and last night was no different. Bricks through windows assaults on firemen and ambulance crews, Local business' under siege and fireworks thrown at police. Some of the participants are primary school age. Police appear to be powerless to act or do much beyond asking parents to supervise their children.

Also in the SE, fairly non affluent pocket, but would say the same as LakieLady, Mischief Night doesn,t really seem to be a thing.
No doubt there are students getting drunk and being obnoxious but no large scale vandalism.

Trick and treat is usually kids going round, many of them accompanied by parents.

@BrightSunshineDay

The bike theft round here since lockdown is unreal.

Absolutely! They're literally out with bolt cutters and even steal bikes from the lock up at the railway stations! Then they just randomly abandon them. Motorbike theft is also rife as is deliberately driving stolen motorbikes in an anti-social way but not wearing helmets because the Police then can't chase them (allegedly).

@AriestheRam

Not here

I just looked on Police.uk and found these crime stats for my town (pop 20k) last month:

ASB 6

Criminal damage/arson 3

Public order 2

Violent and sexual offences 2

So not even a reported crime every other day.

@Feralgroups

I'm in the North West.

I've been reading this and agreeing that it seems much worse than usual. I've just seen your photos and realised that we live in the same area. It seems to be really awful here.