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.

Sorry that happened. I have no idea what the motive could be.

It is interesting that I ran into this post, as I was just talking to my friend about this just the other day. So many kids nowadays are totally out of control, they are rude and obnoxious, disrespectful, talk back, I even had some boys of that same age throw obscenities at me when I was old enough to be their mother. I am afraid that the problem is that people do not parent their kids anymore.

I would love to tell you to fight back, tell them off or something, but I am afraid that may only make things worse. I hope you do not run into them again OP. Take care.

Could you post on your local 'Nextdoor' group OP, tell everyone what happened, and say that if anyone reading it is the parent of these kids, then they need to sort them out? You could even mention that you'll be carrying Farb gel with you next time, so if anyone's kid comes home covered in red spray, they'll know what they've been up to. People have done it in our area, and at least it makes others in the area aware of what the little blighters are up to.

Happened to me over a year ago. I grabbed one of them by the neck and and shoved him hard into a bush. I also screamed a lot of obscenities and threats. I also had keys in my hand. They ran off.

I was shaking with rage.

I don’t know if all phones have something like this, but on iPhone, if you repeatedly press the lock button about 5 times (which you can do with your hand still in your pocket), it automatically calls emergency services - if threatening behaviour reaches that threshold that you feel you need to phone police.

You could carry something with you just for peace of mind, maybe something moderately heavy in a handheld bag that you could swing at the little buggers if absolutely needed.

But is it possible to avoid that route and take another one?

I've had issues on my way to Tesco with youths.

Really do not touch / hit / push them or spray them with anything as advised by some PPs!

OP, I do recommend that you change your routine & walk in a populated area for a couple of weeks or more until these kids forget about you.

If you choose not to change your routine- get a crossbody phone strap, to make it less likely they can snatch your phone if you need to call for help. You can get them cheaply on Etsy. In fact get one anyway.

If they say hello say hello back in a neutral calm way or they may get angry - but really don't get drawn into conversation.

Keep walking quickly - don't look at them unless they actually speak to you, whatever they are up to.

Try not to look judgemental in any way of their awful behaviour (not saying you do but sometimes it's hard to conceal how you feel).

Bear in mind as I'm sure you're aware some kids are all bravado but some kids carry knives.

I think filming them, unless in secret, will only escalate matters & delay your exit from the situation too.

By the way if they ask you for the time (for example) as some kids do just say you don't know; don't get your phone out or show them you have a watch.
If they pester you with random questions just say firmly but calmly I don't know or no, or I'm busy so I'm going now.

If they actually touch you call the police.

But the best thing to do and far less stress is to avoid the situation.

Who cares if it looks dogy or not?

We have to get over this attitude of being frightened something will look dodgy when perpetrated by a victim against an aggressor.

No wonder, the shits of society feel able to dismantle it when ordinary people are punished-or think they might be-for saying this far and no further.

Film the little fuckers, send it to the police and take it around to every local school to see if they can identify them

Get two fucking big dogs-the most aggressive you can and let them do the talking in any future incidents.

As others have said, get Farb Spray and use it.

It's even not okay to just push someone who is attacking you

This isn't true. It might not be advisable to escalate in this way since they outnumber you and are probably physically stronger, but from a legs perspective you're absolutely permitted to push someone who's attacking you, and indeed to do a fair bit more

Glad you reported it. Would one of those personal alarms also be a good idea?

It would still be classed as assault, just as throwing a glass of water in someone's face is. Don't do this OP, I'm a police officer and it's just asking for more trouble.

This kind of intimidating ASB is prevalent on my beat and I've had a right mare with a group of kids over the summer doing similar.

They can give ABC's/CPW's etc (previously ASBOS). Highly likely they will already know the lovely little tikes.

Good luck.

Christ.

So the police's stance on women being threatened and intimidated in public is not to defend themselves at all. Good to know.

What were they doing to you?

Thanks for posting.

In your experience, why do kids do this?

What would be the best way for me to respond?

Is it possible to identify which school they (should) be going to? I would write there with a description of them. I would also contact your local councillor and even MP. Obviously, the police.

If you write down everything as a sort of "master copy", you can then use this as a template.

I would avoid anything like filming or pretending to film, because that is direct confrontation with them and likely to cause you distress. Best try in such situations to just get out of harm's way... and then write to all of the above instances.

How horrible for you. Can you go walking in a different place for the next month or so? I would not like you to get stressed again by this.

People still really think a 12yo is still some wee little kid. These vile things are killing people, being violent bullies and capable of despicable things. Being 12yo doesn't mean that they need to be given any sort of understanding and sympathy.

I suppose you would prefer that the OP and others like her runs and hides as long as she doesn't upset the children! That she at least accepts that she-and other adults- are powerless.

If so, then you are part of the problem that has led us to this pass- a pass where feral children intimidate others and the police are helpless.

@OrchardBlack

In fact, I know read that you say you a police officer and advise everyone not to even throw a glass of water in an aggressor's face.

More proof as to why the goths are inside the gate and setting the agenda. The advice of you, a police officer, is to let these twats walk all over you.

First of all, I don't know when one person on an Internet forum became the spokesperson for all police officers and somehow the mouthpiece for their whole 'stance'. If I was a doctor giving advice here, as many do, would you say I was the 'NHS' stance' ?. I always find that most odd.

Anyway, there is a huge jump from me not saying a victim should protect themselves and support them commiting offences themselves.

Part of defending yourself, as you state, is by collating, as much OP as you feel able to do so, as much evidence as possible in the hope they kids can be ID'd by another officer or PCSO (Cannot do media appeals due to their age). If a positive ID can be made, the next steps if you are supportive can be made, and this can include,.as I said, ASB warning letters/Community protection warnings etc. I wouldn't want to say what steps could be taken as I obviously wouldn't be the OIC.
Of course, call 999 if you feel immediately in danger. Hope you're ok, it can be so intimidating 💐

I didn't give any advice about not throwing a glass of water, I simply used that analogy to explain the definition of assault, please read my posts properly.

Trust me, if you'd have seen how I dealt with the last group of youths - 3 weeks of solid work, with arson, criminal.damage, assault and burglary, terrorising their local community, I can assure you you would not be calling me soft 😄

Gone from a no go zone to back to a quiet cul de sac again, mainly because I gave them all court conditions not to associate with each other (criminal behaviour orders, massive step for young kids but they reached the threshold, it was that bad). I'm sure I'll have others saying I was too harsh 😂 Cant please them all!

OP, I'm going to step away from this thread now as I worry I'm derailing it. Take care and feel free to call or email your local neighbourhood policing team for advice, you should find it on your force website.

I can answer that for you @HebburnPokemon

They do it because they can. They fear no consequences because there are none.

Someone on this thread declared they are a police officer and advises all victims not to take any action against them as that will be illegal.

These type of thugs have no manners put on them at home, at school or by the police. They may know little else but these thugs walk the ground doing what they like, without fear or favour, because we as a society decided to allow them to do so.

Can it be reigned back? No. I don't think so. Even on this thread, bleeding hearts trailing sleeves of tears and mee-mowing behind them, comes along to say some version or other of , 'they are children.'

@OrchardBlack OK so it's just your opinion not to defend. Which is what carrying Farb Spray is - defense. I didn't say to randomly spray people but if someone is threatening to assault you and then charges at you on a bike, why wouldn't you defend yourself from being attacked?

12 is over the age of criminal responsibility, if they are marked during their attempted assault they are easier to identify. Maybe if feral children weren't excused as just kids they wouldn't be such murderous little monsters.

They have committed serous offences including burglary and arson.

Are they now under lock and key? If not, why not?

Or was telling them not to associate with each other deemed a reasonable response?

If you were Chief Constable, what would you have liked to happen to them?

Are you in hebburn OP? That’s my home town. If you are in hebburn , I’d suggest posting on the community FB page asking for parents to make sure they know what their children are doing.