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Original poster

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

104 replies

Feralgroups · 31/10/2020 16:37

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.

OP posts:
AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 31/10/2020 19:13

Only an hour ago someone posted in my local FB page that there's a bunch of teens throwing eggs at cars travelling on the main road.

CaptainMyCaptain · 31/10/2020 19:20

It doesn't help that our streetlights get turned off at 11pm to save the council money
It's your money they are saving but if you would rather they cut something else you should take it up with them.

Original poster
Feralgroups · 31/10/2020 19:28

@DumplingsAndStew

Ha ha no! First post of this nature. Sorry that your 'doom and gloom' is my actual neighbourhood.

OP posts:
BreakfastOfWaffles · 31/10/2020 19:28

Not noticed or read about anything like this where we live. Doesn't seem to be an issue here.

Original poster
Feralgroups · 31/10/2020 19:31

@nevermorelenore

A middle aged man turned out to be behind the crime spree.

In our area the culprits have been caught multiple times on home and business CCTV/mobile footage. That's not to say we don't have our own pesky middle-agers. One such lady keeps stealing people's entire front gardens, including their hanging baskets and making off with them in her wheelbarrow!

OP posts:
longwayoff · 31/10/2020 19:36

Mischief night is a northern thing isn't it? Never seen this kind of mob behaviour here.

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 31/10/2020 19:37

Mischief night is the day before May Day...

Ginfordinner · 31/10/2020 19:47

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme

Mischief night is the day before May Day...
Where?
CaraDuneRedux · 31/10/2020 19:52

@Feralgroups

He concedes that mods and rockers had some fights in the mid-1960s, but argues that they were no different from the evening brawls that occurred between youths throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, both at seaside resorts and after football games.

What is happening around me at the moment is real. It's not brawling between gangs it's gangs of teenagers literally just throwing bricks through house and car windows, buses (who now won't go through some of the estates), fireworks fired directly at the public etc.

Sounds like (insert Northern inner city) when I lived there in the 90s. Giant illegally imported fireworks fired horizontally in the manner of grenade launchers. Popular pastime involved setting cars on fire then throwing bricks at the fire brigade when they arrived to put the blaze out.
D4rwin · 31/10/2020 20:54

It's happened here some years. It rained last night, I guess we only have fair weather chaos merchants here Wink

TheFnozwhowasmirage · 31/10/2020 21:20

I've never heard of it and no reports locally or in the nearest town of any issues.

longwayoff · 31/10/2020 21:43

I've seen these mobs of feral kids in Line of Duty, and occasional other footage, that I assumed was showing quite a lot of dramatic licence. Mostly due to the age of some of the participants who barely looked old enough to be out alone after dark. I assume they are mostly bored teens?

PaperMonster · 31/10/2020 21:57

Thankfully not happening where I live!

SushiGo · 31/10/2020 22:04

It's been better here since school started up. In the summer they were setting fire to hedges with aerosoles and lighters.

Some parents are total crap, and without other positive adult influences in their lives, (teachers, youth leaders, football coach, anyone at all that's not useless) some teens will fill their time with criminal activity.

The long term is the worry. Councils could do more, I know one near me spent the money it wasn't spending in one area of it's budget in the summer on extra youth workers for outreach work.

Ginfordinner · 31/10/2020 22:04

Just read on our local Facebook page that someone has had a brick thrown at their windscreen. Other posters have replied saying that they have seen three gangs of teenagers wandering around.

It's not normally like Beirut round here Sad

Popcornismandatory · 31/10/2020 22:21

Fortunately mischief night no longer seems to be a thing around here but when I was a young un it was always 4th November

indemMUND · 31/10/2020 22:47

@Feralgroups
The pics you've posted the exact same I've seen posted in local groups on FB. You're from the same area as me. It's widespread and out of control. I just want to get away from here tbh.

sunshineandshowers21 · 31/10/2020 22:55

someone posted cctv footage of kids letting fireworks off outside their house at 5am this morning. i recognised two of the boys as being in my son’s year at school - they are 13! and they’re out letting fireworks off at the crack of dawn. no idea where they got the fireworks from or where their parents thought their kids were at that time.

popcornlover · 31/10/2020 23:23

I have heard about this happening too OP. Definitely getting worse.

RuffleCrow · 31/10/2020 23:25

Where do you live op?

keeprocking · 31/10/2020 23:38

@MrsHound

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.
The power to act has been almost eradicated for the political, schools etc., one mustn't upset the scotes, teachers can't even give lines, demeans their self respect, even a raised voice us frowned upon.. Society has created a monster and is now living withbit.
keeprocking · 31/10/2020 23:39

Political??? Sorry, police of course.

bloodyhairy · 31/10/2020 23:44

I'd put them down, personally. Society has no place for them.

Twofurrycatsagain · 31/10/2020 23:59

Yes there's a been a notable surge in anti social behaviour from teens here, both where I live and work. Also north west but not your area. Certainly not all teens are engaging in it but more than usual. It only needs a small group to create a feral atmosphere though.

MiddlesexGirl · 01/11/2020 00:03

There has been a noticeable increase in reports of delinquent and anti-social behaviour around here.

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