WATCH: Dirt bikes are 'going to end up killing a child'

Young people on dirt bikes are going to end up “killing a child” according to a concerned parent from the Galliagh area of the city.

Speaking to Derry Now , the parent said there was a near miss between a dirt bike and a child playing on the green area between Galliagh Park and Fergleen last week.

“They are going to end up killing somebody,” said the parent. “There are a couple of alleyways in the area and there are a lot of young wanes playing there and  if they fly down on their bikes and scooters, they are going to end up killing a wane.

“One of them flew past at about 40 or 50 miles an hour, on a dirt bike, and he swerved to miss the child,” he added.

“The other night then, there was a two-year-old out playing and the same boy flew past at serious speed and he was no more than five feet away from the youngster.

“They are flat out on these dirt bikes in the area all the time. There are about six of them.

One of them was confronted and then 10 minutes later, they all came up and did what you can see on the video, a sort of ‘show of strength’ as much as to say, ‘There’s nothing any of you can do about this’.

“I would appeal to these young people to stay away from cul-de-sacs. If they are using dirt bikes, use them safely, in an open space. There are tracks for them out the back roads.

Ballyarnett Sinn Féin councillor, John McGowan, urged parents and responsible individuals to consider the effects the use of such vehicles had on their neighbours and their community.

Cllr McGowan added: “Parents should also reflect on the danger to the young people illegally using them on public roads and parks often without helmets or any other safety equipment or even insurance. In some estates and parks the scramblers and quads are out every single day and people, especially the elderly, do not feel safe walking the streets or taking their dogs out for a walk in the park.This needs to stop.”

Ballyarnett SDLP councillor, Brian Tierney, said issues around the misuse of scramblers and dirt bikes had cropped up on a number of occasions in recent years.

Cllr Tierney added: “Residents in the Galliagh area and other parts of our city are sick and tired of their lives being disrupted by the noise from these vehicles and the risk they pose to public safety.

“The use of these vehicles is strictly prohibited on public roads and in public places, including on footpaths and in housing estates.

“Anyone using these vehicles outside private land without the proper licence is risking a criminal offence that could have serious consequences for their future.

“Nobody wants to see young people getting in trouble for using these vehicles, but I would urge parents of those with scramblers and quad bikes to familiarise themselves with the rules around their usage and to make sure they are being driven in an appropriate way to keep both our young people and the public safe.”

Speaking to Derry Now, Ballyarnett Neighbourhood Sergeant McCollum said: "We know this is a really big concern in the community, and rightly so. It's an issue that we take seriously as well and have been working with the Outer North Community Safety Team in relation to this.

"When these machines are being driven at speed, creating a nuisance in built-up areas, close to people and homes, this is dangerous and reckless. Not only is there the impact on people's lives in the community, but there are also serious safety concerns.

"We have seized at least 10 of these machines – including scramblers – since the Autumn in the Ballyarnett area. A number of people were subsequently arrested in relation to these incidents. They are now facing either court charges or have been reported to the Public Prosecution Service.

"We will continue to work proactively to apprehend those involved in this anti-social and criminal behaviour. Our appeal is to anyone who witnesses this activity to report it to us immediately. That way we can respond faster. You can also make a report to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111."  

Sergeant McCollum added: "Some scramblers do not comply with Construction and Use Regulations and Vehicle Safety Standards and therefore are restricted to “off-road” use only. This does not mean that they can be driven anywhere off-road. 

“These vehicles should only be driven on private land where the landowner has given permission and should not be driven on pavements, roads, public property or parks. Insurance and safety equipment must be complied with as well in order to drive these vehicles legally.

“To anyone thinking about buying these vehicles, we urge them to first think about where it is going to be used and the legalities surrounding its use."