Dr Fred Cram, the director of the Cardiff centre for crime, law and justice at Cardiff University, said it was difficult to think of scenarios in which police chasing children without helmets could be justified.
Dr Mike Harrison, a lecturer in criminology at Swansea University, said: “I see this as yet another unfortunate situation where young, marginalised people that ride these bikes are being unfairly targeted. It is probably wise to suspend this practice [of chasing young people on e-bikes] until there is some kind of review.”Real people whose lives are blighted:
Community leaders in Cardiff and Salford said a blanket ban on police chases of children on bikes was difficult because gangs already use them to run tasks – and would do this even more if they knew they definitely would not be pursued.
Mike McCusker, the lead member for transport on Labour-controlled Salford city council, said reckless use of powerful e-bikes was creating a “wild west” situation in some areas.
“The police are damned if they do, damned if they don’t,” he said, adding that better regulation and control was needed to take high-speed bikes off the streets.
Who will win out? I think we know, don't we, Reader...
Yes, indeed. Remember, frens: refusing to call a guy in a terrible wig a woman is hate speech and you can be prosecuted but if you spend your days vocally supporting violent pond scum, you can score £70K a year and a gold plated pension at some bogus uni.
ReplyDeleteI woder if Fred has considered that prohibiting such police action will only encourage the louts never to wear a helmet - so they get injured if they fall off.
ReplyDelete"...but if you spend your days vocally supporting violent pond scum, you can score £70K a year and a gold plated pension at some bogus uni."
ReplyDeleteBurn it down and salt the earth!
"I woder if Fred has considered that prohibiting such police action will only encourage the louts never to wear a helmet - so they get injured if they fall off."
Not much inside their heads to damage, though...