Harassed by kids in street

[HebburnPokemon]

On my daily walk in a woodland area just now I was harassed by a group of kids on their bikes. They were swearing, saying if I didn’t answer them they would smash my face in, and coming towards me on their bikes and swerving aggressively. I’ve never seen anything like it. They looked around 12.

I'm 5ft0 and autistic. I was alone. I felt scared.

What can I (realistically and legally) do if this happens again? Aside from reporting to police who won't care.

It’s fucking depressing that as women we can’t just walk, minding our own business. I understand why it’s being suggested, but why the fuck should the OP have to change her route from a woodland area, or consider having to walk with someone. (Yeah I know why, I’m just an angry woman sick of this shit after 5 decades of it!!)

Don't use your phone- they'll snatch it from you OP.

Body worn camera would be best. Start at around £50 on Amazon.

Tell them firmly to leave you alone. "Ok lads that's enough now- I'm just out for a walk" followed by "I have asked you to stop". So that it's clear that you have asked. Try not to be too far away from more populated area/ your car. (Yes that makes me mad that you have to).

I'm a runner and always having to consider this stuff 🤬🤬🤬

Also "in the street" and "woodland area" are very different? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I was thinking exactly the same. Why the fuck should OP have to go out of her way to change something she enjoys just to pander to a group of little fuckers who've got no respect for anyone or anything. OP I'd be calling the police as it's happening and record them on your phone if possible. Those kinds of young lads need teaching

I would be careful they don’t grab your phone and smash it if they are ASBO kids.
You can get pens that you can attach to yourself that don’t even look like a camera that work pretty well. We got one on Amazon a while ago.

You did the right thing in reporting this. You might not be the only one being targeted. If there are several reports then the police will definitely have to plan a strategy to prevent the anti-social behaviour.

Be careful of these kids. If it happens again, keep your head down just like you did before- don’t react. Report it again.

I’m sorry you experienced this, it must’ve been terrifying but you handled it well.

It’s fucking depressing that as women we can’t just walk, minding our own business.

Thats how I feel. As a kid I would not have dreamed of doing this to a random adult.

I like the spray idea but when I spoke to DH about it, he said it could escalate things.

It’s a small town with a huge wooded park if that makes sense?

Thanks, I just kept walking as best as I could (trying to avoid their bikes swerving at me). I didn’t say anything and avoided eye contact. I tried to be as boring as possible but secretly I was shaken up.

The emergency services use What 3 Words so get that on your phone to give the exact location when you dial 999

Useful on any occasion

What 3 words?

I don’t really want to befriend some 12 year olds tbh.

You saw two 12 year olds were convicted of murder just last week I assume? I would just steer clear I'm sorry to say

Really? I thought reasonable self defence was allowed.

Maybe get a throwaway dumb phone you can use to call 999 without fear of it being stolen.

And that makes it acceptable and less threatening how exactly? They are little shits and she shouldn’t have to put up with it.

Having had to report criminal behaviour by 12 year olds on a number of occasions myself, I’m betting your last sentence is what the police will say.

Just to say I had the same last week - kids on bikes and they were so immature, probably around 12 as well. Hassling me outside McDonald’s and then followed me clipping the back of my heels with their bikes. They were obviously really young but just unbelievably rude and over confident and aggressive. I couldn’t believe it. Maybe a 15 year old but not 12!

Wound up kids?

Most kids I see are harmless, but these guys were feral, like Chucky

Do you remember what they looked like? I'd make a Facbook post on a local community group with the details of the time etc it happened.

Pestering is one thing. Swearing, threatening to smash a stranger’s face in and charging their bikes at said stranger is not typical kid behaviour.