Stewartstown Road witnessed “distressing scenes” on Monday involving masked youths on scramblers
Some of the scramblers, electric bikes and scooters seized by police
Belfast City Council is calling for a host of measures to deal with the growing threat from the antisocial use of scramblers and e-scooters in the city.
The chamber at City Hall at the May full meeting of the council on Tuesday (May 5) united around a DUP motion, which included a “friendly” amendment by the Deputy Mayor Paul Doherty.
The council agreed to write to the Minister of Justice calling for strengthened powers for the PSNI to seize and, where appropriate, retain or dispose of scramblers and e-scooters being used in a dangerous or antisocial manner.
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Councillors are also calling for the introduction of mandatory registration of scramblers and e-scooters at the point of sale, and are appealing to the PSNI for a detailed briefing at City Hall on enforcement activity, hotspot areas, and “barriers to effective action within Belfast.”
The motion also states that Belfast Council will support the provision of additional enforcement tools, including the use of drone technology and dedicated resources to assist in identifying and tackling offenders. Lastly, it calls for dedicated scrambler sites to be created in the city.
It states: “ Belfast City Council expresses serious concern at the growing impact of antisocial scrambler and e-scooter use across the city, which has caused significant distress to residents, poses a clear risk to public safety and, in some cases, has resulted in serious injury and loss of life.
“The council recognises that, when used responsibly and in appropriate settings, such vehicles can have legitimate recreational value; however, their misuse in residential areas, parks and public spaces is causing serious and growing concern across Belfast. The council notes ongoing enforcement challenges and the need for stronger, more effective interventions to tackle dangerous use and repeat offending.”
On Monday evening (May 5) at Stewartstown Road, West Belfast, police were attacked at a “vehicle event” including youths driving dangerously on scrambler bikes. A large number of people with covered faces emerged from a crowd and threw projectiles at police.
A fire was started and Fire and Rescue Service workers were attacked when they tried to respond, leading to their withdrawal from the area. Five police vehicles were damaged and two officers were injured.
In 2016, Valerie Armstrong, a 35 year old mother was killed after being struck by a scrambler while walking her dog in the Colin Glen area of West Belfast, not far from the Stewartstown Road.
DUP Alderman Dean McCullough, who proposed the council motion, said at City Hall on Wednesday: “While members across this chamber may take a slightly different view on enforcement, engagement and education, I believe we all want the same basic outcome, to protect residents, road users, pedestrians and perhaps most importantly, the young people themselves. Before a life is lost.
“Right across Belfast we are seeing scramblers and e-scooters being driven recklessly through residential streets and parks, greenways and main roads, often at speed, often without helmets and often without regard for others. We need to call it out for what it is, antisocial, illegal and dangerous, capable of changing lives forever.”
He added: “(People) may have seen the footage from Duncairn Gardens, on the edge of my own District Electoral Area in North Belfast – where young people can be seen literally flying through traffic lights, weaving in and out of traffic, intimidating road users and putting themselves and others at risk.
“What happens if a pensioner walking to the chemist on the Duncairn Gardens is hit? What happens if a driver travelling lawfully to Tiger’s Bay or the New Lodge hits a person who cuts across them without warning? What happens to that young person and that driver who may have done nothing wrong but must live with the consequences? This is not harmless fun.”
Deputy Mayor and Independent Councillor Paul Doherty, who has been calling for action on scramblers since he became an elected member, last year called for a dedicated scrambler site in the city to help combat dangerous and illegal activity, and repeated his call on Tuesday.
His amendment means the council will “support the development of community-led intervention schemes” with local schools, youth centres, community organisations and statutory agencies to look at dedicated sites for scrambler use.
He said in the chamber: “My amendment speaks to something outside of enforcement, which is already working. It is preventative action, in the form of practical, community-led alternatives.
“Why do I think it can work? Because it is already working. We are seeing community-led, largely unfunded programmes in local schools and youth centres, which could be further aligned into the justice system, ensuring that these bikes are taken away from communities, and that risk removed.
“We are hearing from police that 90 percent of dangerous and antisocial scrambler use is reduced through these positive partnerships.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Joe Duffy said: “Despite being warned hours in advance about the potential for dangerous activity from people from outside the area coming in, the response from the PSNI was alarmingly inadequate. The distressing scenes we witnessed left local residents very vulnerable, and feeling unsupported, as these reckless vehicles caused havoc across the area, leaving huge frustration and fear within the community. This is a community that knows all too well the risks these scramblers pose.”
People Before Profit Councillor Michael Collins said: “This area suffers higher levels of poverty and youth deprivation than any other. It is sad therefore but ultimately not surprising that some young people have been dragged into this.
“The event itself was organised and orchestrated by adults, many of them coming from outside the Colin area, and setting a bad example for young people in the area. Events like these are not wanted by anyone in Colin and we will strive to make sure scenes like this are not repeated in future.
“This necessitates a bottom up community response which engages with local youth services, young people, statutory bodies and community and voluntary organisations. Ultimately, it also requires a challenge to the structural poverty and deprivation which breeds such deep alienation among young people in the first place.”
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