Bike Stolen from Child on the Bankeyfields Open Space
A warning to all parents of children on the Bankeyfields estate!!
Tonight a child was threatened by a gang of three youths who stole his new bike. The lads were playing in the football area within the park and the bikes were outside, two youths shut all the gates to prevent the lads stopping them and they then rode off on one of the lads bikes.
After reporting the incident to the police PC Glyn Talbot did respond extremely quickly. He took the details and went away to look for the bike as another unit had found two youths one of which was on a bike matching the description given by the children.
Lets hope this one turns out to be a good ending!!!!
Once again, please warn your children to beware of strange children around the Bankeyfields Open Space and Estate. And keep their bikes close, perhaps inside the football area when they are playing in there.
Comments
Bike Marking, After this
Bike Marking,
After this evenings incident, is there any chance that we could get the police to come down and mark any bikes up with postcodes etc so that if any bikes should get stolen and found then they can be traced back to the owners.
If we had enough notice of the event I am sure we could advertise and leaflet drop the estates between the members of the committee.
If I remember rightly from the litter pick last year, and the police were around, some kids from the estates did have their bikes marked so it was a positive event.
Would this be something that you could mention to Glyn as you have more contacts.
Three lads (13-14 years of
Three lads (13-14 years of age) slowly rode past the park on some nice BMX's as Myself, Rach and Rich were in with the kids. They came past as though they hadn't done a thing wrong. Each of the lads were sporting a definate irish accent. I commented to Rich at the time that they must be back.
The about a bout minute later, two little lads (11) from spitfire and summer bank came racing past the park, stopped to check if we'd seen anyone, as their mate had had his bike pintched. Both of the boys looked clearly shaken, but were bravely following in pursuit.
Myself and Rich gave chase but there was no sign of them from the high street.
A quick phone call to the police to relay the details of the theft and the kids details, we took them back towards their homes.
On the way back, we met the little lad who'd had his bike, who was upset and angry, he'd only just gotten his bike that day, but the lads forced their way onto his bike, shoved him, and rode of.
They'd left a kanckered old excuse of a bike that could be used as evidence, so we took it up to the little lads house.
Finally, can I add, were the friends of the boy whose bike was pintched attitude was commendable, they have to be careful what lengths they go to, to try and recover the bike.
They looked set to chase them across busy streets, right in the latest traveller camp.
Rach, I'll see what I can do with Glyn, and try and get some property marker pens. Even if we get some and mark some stuff up.
I too hope the bike is recovered and the toe rags who nicked get's a kick up the butt, although I can't see it doing any good.
Busy day down the park today, I just hope we parents can come together and put an end to it.
I think it is time that this
I think it is time that this estate took back what is rightfully ours and reclaimed the open-space and the park for the sake of the kids off the estate. I am sure there are enough male adults on the estate who care about the estate, to each take a turn walking around the park and sports court to perhaps identify any trouble and report it. It would only take 10 to 15 minutes max from 16.30 to 21.00, it has come to a sad state of affairs when people are prepared to take their kids to Bathpool or Westport Lake rather than use the park that is on their door step. If we do not make a stand now these scum bags have won, it may be the park today and in the future who knows they could turn their attention to house’s on the estate , hanging baskets, garden ornaments damage to cars anything. Let’s try to nip this in the bud now as a community before it is too late.
Bryn's right, if we don't
Bryn's right, if we don't make an effort to show that we aren't going to stand for it.
By taking the park back with a brush, by helping others kids out, by feeling part of a community is how we do it.
Why should it be our kids who've been threatened by teenagers, their dogs, glass across their park, bullied and had their bikes pintched. This is all in one afternoon.
It's only the start of the second week of the school holidays.
Yes, you're right, this has
Yes, you're right, this has happened in the space of a few hours and it does make you wonder where they will turn their attention next!! We're happy to support any suggestions as to how we can reclaim the park for the estates kids. Happy to help - just shout
Hiya Random I think what you
Hiya Random
I think what you did yesterday was the best action possible, because you shared your problem down the park with the authorities and more importantly with the rest of the community. You've a) helped us make the decision to clean the park up (toddler side only) and
your helping parents by putting them on alert.
I hope to see a few more Mums and Dads hovering around the park in the next few weeks, and if you have the slightest problem, get out of harms way and call 0300 123 4455 (the police non emergency number), and ask for the ASBO car to be sent to the Bankeyfields park, but also log the event with the council know we've got problems.
I do get the impression that because the Estate is a little oasis, everyone thinks everything is hunky dory, so you've got to report everything. It's our kids going down there so they have to be safe. At the end of the day, your going through to a switch board of a non emergency number. If they think your time wasting, that's for them to decide.
The Residents Association has been told often enough to get people to report these problems as they happen. Even if you feel they haven't been followed up, just be persistent.
If anyone ones to take Bryn up on his Park watch idea, please feel free to get in touch with him, as a comment or a private message.
What a surprise, check out
What a surprise, check out the article in the Sentinel about Travellers reoccupying the land by the cricket ground.
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Anger-travellers-reoccupy-site...
My comment removed as it has
My comment removed as it has already been addressed by other contributors
Hello everyone, this is my
Hello everyone, this is my first post on here. It was actually my son's bike that got stolen on Monday night (02.08.10).
The scum of the earth boys who stole the bike actually threatened my son. He was on his bike at the time, they asked if they could have a go and quite rightly my son was suspicious and told them no.
He cycled out of the caged area and they chased him and threatened him. I'm so glad he got off his bike or they would have hit him and still stolen the bike anyway. We don't hold out much hope of getting it back really but the Police are not giving up and will continue to look out for it.
Just in case you see it, its a white BMX bike with 'GT Bikes' and 'Performer Est 74' lettering along the frame and yellow/gold inside the wheels.
It was his pride and joy and the only thing he asked for at Christmas. We can't claim on the insurance as the excess is too high so its a case of saving our pennies to buy another one. Any help would be greatly appreciated and please get your children's bikes marked when Glyn Talbot comes to the park soon.
Details of dates will follow. I also agree with this forum, if we could arrange to patrol the park between us all, perhaps this type of scum will stop visiting a place where they are not wanted. Matt/Rich - let us know if you arrange a get together to sort out a rota of some sort.
Good luck, a very annoyed and angry parent. (Jane)
Hi ya Jane when I got news of
Hi ya Jane when I got news of what had gone on in the park concerning you son I was so shocked this was nothing short of a mugging and an incident that should not be ignored. I would urge parents on the estate to take a more active role and perhaps take the time to visit the park just to check that their kids are ok. The more adults that there are visible on the open-space the chances are that these scum bags may be deterred from trying this sort of thing. I think that in this instance we were lucky that no physical violence was used but who is to say that this may not happen again. As a dog walker I often walk around the open space so therefore I would be more than happy to take a spot in any rota that may be drawn up.
Would it not be worthwhile trying to get the council to install a bike stand so that the kids can safely lock up their bikes when playing in the park or sports court?
Thanks for your response and
Thanks for your response and your very helpful offer to help with the rota, I'm sure Matt will pick this up. I think your suggestion to install a bike rack is very good idea. My son was actually riding his bike at the time and is not allowed to take it to the park if he is going to play football but a bike rack would solve that problem. I'm sure that Matt will have contacts to query this with the Council but please let me know if I can help Matt. Best wishes, Jane.
Jane, meet Bryn, Bryn meet
Jane, meet Bryn, Bryn meet Jane.
Bryn is basically the open space's guardian and a really good neighbour to have on your side. He sits on the newly formed Bankeyfields Residents Association board, which also incorporates the old Neighbourhood Watch.
In the past few years Bryn has done far more than any one person to ensure the park and open space remains as safe as he can possibly make it. Glass get's reported, yobs are phoned through to the police and neighbours so they can also phone to complain.
He's arranged for the next and previous dog fouling stencils to try and somehow get the message through to certain dog walkers that dog dirt is dangerous to children and adults alike.
With people like yourself,Bryn, Random, and all concerned parents and residents I think if we can keep this momentum up, we can get more than a handful of people to our next meeting, and actually do something about the situation.
Please spread the word, I knew I'd get a chance to use this piccy again.
That did make me laugh, just
That did make me laugh, just what I needed to cheer me up. I look forward to meeting you Bryn and everyone else at the future meeting. Jane
Count us in for parents
Count us in for parents patrol too!!
Can anyone tell me what time
Can anyone tell me what time this incident happened on Monday?
My phones history reckoned I
My phones history reckoned I phoned the police at 19:31, so probably about 3 or 4 minutes before then.
All as a follow on to Matt,s
All as a follow on to Matt,s advice please take your mobile with you and have the council number in its memory 01782234234 when you go up to the park with your kids or even if you are walking your dog around the open space. A few months ago I made an effort to walk around the park around dusk and if there was any issues there I would phone the number ,reoprt the incident and then ring some of the RA members so they could call in as well. This resulted in the ASBO car being tasked to patrol the park on a regular basis. Incidents dropped rapidly and the miscreants stopped using the park for drinking as they knew the police would be coming around. It works so please take the time and a bit of effort and it will be a better place to live and bring up your kids.
Sentinel Photographer will be
Sentinel Photographer will be up on the Open Space, near to the Spitfire Way entrance between 1:30 and 2 today if any one wants to show some neighbourhood solidarity
Story in Thursday's Sentinel
Story in Thursday's Sentinel 5th August 2010 highlighting the theft to other parents
Click image to make bigger
Did you get much turnout for
Did you get much turnout for the photographer, not sure we could get back with 1/2 hr notice!
Lets hope we get Aiden's bike back and we get a good turn out at the bike marking session next weekend. Know Richard is taking some extra leaflets over to the park this weekend to advertise Aiden's bike would it be worth also doing some to advertise the marking session?
Yeah, the Sentinel don't
Yeah, the Sentinel don't leave you with much time to get ready.
Myself and Bryn were up there, so prepare for a shock in the coming days Sentinel.
Glyn mentioned he was going to post something up onto the site. If nothing happens, someone from the Residents Association will post something up.
Ideally we could do with photos of the event as well, BUT because they will be of children, I'll only put photos sent in by parents, and the odd snap of PC Talbot and co signing up the bikes.
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