Poole Residents Flee as Balaclava-Clad E-Bike Gangs Terrorise Town
Residents in Poole, Dorset, are being forced to abandon their forever homes and relocate for their own safety, as the coastal town becomes increasingly overrun by gangs of teenagers on e-bikes. The alarming situation has escalated following a serious hit-and-run incident that left a pregnant woman and her newborn baby in a critical condition.
A Community Living in Fear
Locals report a daily spectacle of balaclava-clad youths riding erratically through the streets, intimidating other road users and engaging in blatant antisocial behaviour. Shocking footage has emerged showing a teenager performing a wheelie directly in front of an oncoming car, while other videos capture groups of up to twenty riders swarming and blocking entire roads.
The crisis reached a devastating peak last Monday on Herbert Avenue, where a pregnant woman was struck by an e-bike in a hit-and-run. The vehicle reportedly failed to stop. The baby was delivered shortly after the collision and, along with the mother, remains in a critical condition in hospital. A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently in police custody.
Residents Pack Up and Leave
For long-term residents like Janet Trendle, who lived in the area for nine years, the incident was the final straw in a years-long battle against out-of-control bike riders.
"There are bikes everywhere with kids on them riding in front of cars and coming down the street right next to us," she said. "We saw a gang in balaclavas shoplifting from our local Co-op, they left rubbish everywhere and graffiti covers everything. We started feeling unsafe in our home, so we packed up and moved."
Another local, Martyn Dickson, expressed his frustration at the perceived impunity of the riders. "I keep seeing these little wannabe gangsters ride around like they are untouchable, intimidating other road users and being a general stain on society. It’s disgraceful."
Police Crackdown on Antisocial Riding
Dorset Police have acknowledged the significant concern within the community and have undertaken several operations to clamp down on the illegal and dangerous use of e-bikes and e-scooters. In one notable action in December, officers intercepted a planned ride-out from Poole to Bournemouth that was provocatively advertised as a move to 'fight Dorset Police'.
During this operation, numerous illegal vehicles were confiscated, and a 20-year-old man believed to be the organiser was arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance.
Chief Superintendent Lindsay Dudfield of Dorset Police stated: "We know that the anti-social riding of e-bikes and e-scooters is of significant concern to our residents and it was vital we acted upon these concerns to ensure everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time in the area. Members of the public would have noticed a highly visible policing presence and our officers have seized numerous vehicles and dealt with a large number of individuals intent on causing harm or disruption to our communities."
Despite these efforts, the pervasive fear and disruption caused by these gangs have led to an exodus of residents who no longer feel secure in their own neighbourhoods, marking a profound social crisis for the town of Poole.
