Young people are putting lives at risk in Armagh, performing wheelies as they race an electric bike and e-scooters along the busy Mall.
It has now become a nightly occurrence, with visitors saying they have been allowed to carry on unchallenged.
With schools off for summer and rising temperatures set to soar next week, it is a sure-fire receipe to draw crowds to the Mall.
But visitors are fearful that as families with children flock to the Mall to enjoy the evening sunshine, they could be taking their lives in their hands as these impromptu performances continue night after night.
What makes it even more sinister, is that the rider of the electric bike is seen wearing a balaclava.
One local woman who, like many others, makes use of the Mall to walk her dog, said she has seen this happening on the main carriageway at Mall East for around a week now and believes it is a tragedy waiting to happen.
She told Armagh I: “A couple of weeks before that they were actually on the inside of the Mall. Last week they were just going up and down, past the Orange Hall to the end of the Mall and doing wheelies and out onto the pavement as well.
“Last Friday, I was coming down College Hill and they were weaving in and out of traffic. They’re on an electric bike and scooters as well, but the electric bike seems to be very fast. I’d say that electric bike’s probably going 30 miles an hour or more.
“They’re on the road and the worst of it is the boy on that bike that’s going really fast is wearing a balaclava. He knows he shouldn’t be doing it and doesn’t want to be identified obviously.”
The nightly activities usually take place from 7pm onwards, with the dog walker describing those engaged as “boys about 14 or 15 years of age”.
She is concerned of the consequences for people walking in the area and other road users.
“If you were crossing the road and one of them came along and hit you they’d wipe you out,” she added.
“The other night they were up and down quite a number of times, doing wheelies up and down on the pavement and on to the road. It was very dangerous. If a car hits them, is the driver of the car responsible then?”
The woman has called for police to increase activity in the area of the Mall to try and combat what she views as completely unacceptable anti-social behaviour and a direct danger to life.
“All the police need to do is park up in an unmarked car,” she added. “They’ll find them pretty quickly.”
A PSNI spokesperson said police had received a report at around 5.50pm on Tuesday, June 30, of anti-social behaviour involving e-scooters in the Mall East area of Armagh.
But, on that occasion, in response to the report received, they added: “Officers attended the scene and checked the area; however, there were no youths located.”
On the wider issue of the legalities surrounding the use of such vehicles – and advice to the public – the spokesperson said: “Under current legislation, e-scooters are deemed to be a motor vehicle, meaning the rider must have a driving licence and the vehicle must be taxed, insured and fitted with lights and a number plate.
“This means e-scooters on roads and in public spaces are being ridden illegally and, so, a large number of individuals – many of them children – are committing offences in that the machine they are riding is not legally allowed to be in a public space.
“From a safety point of view, their inappropriate use in public spaces poses a risk to the safety of both rider and the public. People have already been seriously hurt as a result of their use. We also know they are causing huge concern, annoyance and disruption in many communities.
“When our officers engage with riders, they use the four ‘e’s’ approach – engage, explain, encourage and enforce.
“We are also asking people to report inappropriate use so that we can seize machines safely, however, we recognise that on some occasions there can be public safety risks with enforcement, especially if the detection is made in a busy, built-up area. We will engage with the rider and seize the e-scooter when it is safe to do so.
“Long term, we believe the only durable, long-term solution to dealing with issues in relation to e-scooters is through legislative reform, and we are actively engaging with the Department of Justice to explore these options.
“Overall, it will require a co-ordinated approach by sellers, parents, users/owners, PSNI and partners to reduce the number of e-scooters on our roads and encourage their responsible and legal use.
“We would urge anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour in their area to contact police immediately on 101; always 999 in an emergency. You can also make a report online to us via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
More information on e-scooters and scrambler use can be found on the PSNI website at www.psni.police.uk/safety-and-support/roads-and-driving/e-scooter-scrambler-and-quad-safety
