The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is contacting police in the areas most badly affected by last year’s outbreak of hooliganism on the evening of Halloween, to ensure that the motorcycling community is clearly distanced from any lawless behaviour by thugs on two wheels on Halloween night.
MAG has praised the efforts of the police to try to curb the hooligan behaviour of the thugs who created disorder on 31st October 2016 and Selina Lavender, the Chair of MAG, is encouraging members and the biking community to report such behaviour: ‘We need to show that legitimate riders do not support these hooligan activities – by providing information about the perpetrators of any crime, reporting what we see and demonstrating that the legitimate riding community does not take part in these activities.’
Selina is determined to make sure that genuine bikers ‘aren’t dragged down by the stupidity of those who think it’s acceptable to disrupt an evening which is primarily intended for children to enjoy themselves. It’s wrong for the safety and confidence of youngsters to be compromised by lawless idiots, often on stolen bikes, who have no regard for the communities they upset. If there is any trouble, the police and local councils can be assured of our full support on the evening of Halloween and after it. We are on the side of the affected communities and are disgusted by the actions of these thugs. We know that all genuine riders are too. If there’s the slightest sign of a repeat of last year, I think it’s fair to say the hooligans aren’t going to have it their way in 2017: they can run but they can’t hide.’
MAG is already assisting local councils in gaining an understanding of the need to supply more secure parking facilities. Riders’ representatives are assisting Council officers with the difficult decision to invest in supplying anchors and rails, which makes it harder for the criminals to steal machines. Unconfirmed reports suggest that some youths are already ‘riding scooters like maniacs in Birmingham wearing Halloween masks.’ Please contact your local police force and give your support to their important work on Halloween and share what you know about any threats to the peace. It means a lot to MAG for the local communities we are part of to know we’re on their side.
Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or central-office@mag-uk.org