A gang of “vile” teens riding high-powered electric bikes could kill someone if they are not stopped, say worried residents.
The boys, believed to be around 16 years old, have been spotted speeding around Maidstone daily, often after 6pm.
They have regularly been seen in Mote Park, where it is understood the same group was responsible for an unprovoked attack on a 12-year-old.
The boy’s mum, Pamela Rana, says her son was attacked by the boys at around 5pm on Sunday, June 22, after being approached by them at the skate ramp.
She said: “This group of older kids approached my son and just said, ‘I want to fight you, I want to fight you’.
“He said, ‘Please leave me alone, I’m only 12’ and the other said, ‘I don’t give a damn, I don’t care how old you are, I’m still going to beat you’.
“Then the big lads were circling my son and pacing around him while he was sitting down, waiting for him to get up and hit him him.
“My son’s friend said, ‘Just run, just quickly run out of here’, so he ran from the skate park close to where the apparatus and all the children’s play areas are, because he knows that is where mums and dads and lots of children are.
“He shouted for help, and these two big teenagers ran in after him and beat him up in front of all of them.
“He was crouched on the ground in a protective mode, with his hands over his face and over his head in a ball, and they were kicking him full power.
“They are vile, vile people.”
The Maidstone Grammar School pupil was later taken to hospital, where it was discovered he had suffered a severe concussion.
As well as the violence, there are serious concerns about the speed of their bikes.
High-powered electric bikes are illegal to use in public areas but can be ridden on roads if they are registered and insured like a motorcycle or moped.
One concerned resident, who did not want to be named, says he has reported them to the police several times.
He said: “From a facts and science-based perspective, a 50-60kg Sur-ron type E motorbike ridden by a 70kg teenager at 50mph has a peak impact force of three tonnes.
“We have 12 to 18 year olds riding at this speed in congested areas and on the pathways and three tonnes of force will kill or maim anyone or animal in contact [with them].”
A police spokesman said the force was aware of youths acting in anti-social manners at the park and that it would be increasing patrols in the area.
Cllr David Naghi says Maidstone council is aware of e-bike issues and is working with the force to tackle them.
He said: “As the cabinet member for community cohesion and safety, I’m already working with the police to try and get a speed limit for these people going through Week Street.
“But it’s been a massive issue in Shepway. Even when I drove up there the other day to Northumberland Road, where the church is, there was a smacked up bike on the edge of the corner with the police attending.
“We are doing really positive work to try and stop all this. Of course, parents have a responsibility as well.”
Cllr Paul Thomas (Reform), who represents KCC’s Maidstone South division, said: “Anti-social behaviour is one of those things that I’m particularly concerned about and it seems to be on the rise generally.
“It is unacceptable if you can’t go and use a lovely facility within my division, like Mote Park, and relax and enjoy it, because you’re fearful of what’s going on.”
He added: “I’ll be reaching out to other cabinet members of all of the committees to understand how widespread this is and make sure that we try and set up a stakeholder working group, as I believe has been used in the past to try and tackle these issues.
“It’s a case of identifying the root causes and what it comes from because it’s horrible to admit this in these sorts of instances, but nothing seems to fail to surprise me anymore, the sort of things that go on and what people consider is acceptable behaviour in society.
“It’s a case of identifying the root causes and what it comes from because it’s horrible to admit this in these sorts of instances, but nothing seems to fail to surprise me anymore, the sort of things that go on and what people consider is acceptable behaviour in society.
“But it does need to be resolved pretty swiftly, and we’re prepared to help and assist in any way to stamp out this kind of antisocial behaviour, especially with aggravated antisocial behaviour.”
Sergeant Philip Short of Kent Police said: “We are aware of reports of a group of youths acting in an anti-social manner in Mote Park, Maidstone, over the last few weeks.
“Allegations also include riding e-bikes and motorcycles illegally. One suspect has been identified and investigations to establish the circumstances are ongoing. There will be an increase in patrols in the area.”
