Meadowbank scooter gang terrorising community
Cops are bolstering their patrols around a Sydney suburb amid reports a scooter gang is terrorising locals.
Northern District Times
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Cops are ramping up patrols after a gang of youths has reportedly been terrorising a community in Sydney’s north west.
Other youngsters have been punched, nearby shopping centre cleaners attacked and property vandalised in Meadowbank over recent weeks.
Father-of-three Blake Read said he felt threatened when a group of teenagers started screaming and yelling at him and his little girl at Meadowbank Skate Park.
“They just scream and swear. I actually felt threatened, there was a point where I thought I was going to be attacked,” he said.
“One time I was standing up for the kids because you can’t scream at my four-year-old.
“So I went up to him (one of the youths) and he lost it with me and there was a gang of them fuming and getting really angry.”
Mr Read, who also skates, calls the gang the ‘scooter kids’ and said he has come across them on a number of occasions.
The Cammeray father said there was “a lot of aggression” from the group of about four to five teenagers.
He claimed they sometimes drank alcohol at the park and were verbally abusive to kids and mums.
“We actually stopped coming for some time because of them. It just got too much and they were threatening, punching kids. Threatening me.”
Another mother Lauren Smith said she has been spat on and had objects thrown at her car at the nearby shops, Shepherds Bay Village Plaza.
“I've been spat at while in my car and yelled at. Two weeks ago I had an object thrown at my car. I’ve seen them swing scooters at other cars,” she said.
The Meadow Crescent mum claimed the same teens causing trouble at the skatepark were also loitering around the local shops and train station.
“At the train station, they block the platform, swear loudly and are just awful,” she said.
Ms Smith was at the shops with her 10-year-old autistic son when she claims to have seen a security guard and shop worker being harassed by one of the gang.
“I witnessed the disrespect shown towards the security guard and shop workers, incessant swearing and mess left.
“The IGA has told me items get stolen by them often.
“I don't go to the skate park because of them.”
She added: “Something has to be done about these kids. Someone is going to get hurt or worse.
“Locals are quite honestly living in fear for themselves, their kids and property.”
Robert Tignataro, managing director of Village Plaza Shepherds Bay, said he was forced to employ security after two staff members were allegedly attacked.
“Our cleaner and centre manager got bashed by the young kids. There was a group of about 10 and they jumped on him in the carpark. It was unprovoked – they just jumped him,” he said.
“They come into the centre and terrorise people in IGA and the surrounding shops.”
Ryde Police confirmed it had set up a local task force from to beef-up their efforts at the skatepark.
Crime manager Inspector Matt Nicholls said: “The local operation was created to address anti social behaviour and minor street level crime.”
When asked why the area has attracted this sort of activity he said, “It’s a common gathering point for youth.
“It’s a central area, a new facility and it’s accessible to a train station.”
Police have worked with council to implement a range of strategies to tackle the issue including handing out banning notices at the park.
Strategies have also included daily police patrols in both uniform and plain clothes.
“There have been additional CCTV cameras installed, improved lighting and increased and simplified signage,” Insp Nicholls said.
New signs in the park read: “No smoking or vaping, no alcohol, no offensive language or behaviour.”
Banning notices have also been issued to “several” people – all teenagers – from outside the local area, he said.
Insp Nicholls said: “It has reduced the number of individuals attending the skate park. They’re not there anymore. The small minority create the issue but the general majority are there to have fun and abide by the rules.”
A Ryde Council spokesman said it acknowledged there were concerns raised by residents on “anti-social incidents” and said it is working in collaboration with police and council rangers who regularly patrol the area.
“The City of Ryde has authorised the NSW Police to issue banning notices on individuals who breach any of the conditions of use of the facility or behave in an anti-social manner.
“CCTV cameras are in use in the park, providing a deterrence for unwanted behaviour by park users.”
Improved signs on how to report anti-social behaviour and lights out at 7pm have also been implemented.
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