“WE’RE TOO SCARED TO GO OUT” — SEASIDE TOWN RESIDENTS FEAR TEEN “TAKEOVERS” AND TERRIFYING E-BIKE GAME

Residents of a once-popular seaside town say they are increasingly afraid to leave their homes as youth disorder, dangerous e-bike riding and mass “teen takeovers” spread across the area.

South Shields, in South Tyneside, has become the centre of growing concern over anti-social behaviour allegedly involving groups of teenagers organising meet-ups through social media.

Among the most alarming trends is a game known as “Swerve”, in which young e-bike riders reportedly deliberately race towards pedestrians before swerving away at the last moment.

Locals say the behaviour is not simply reckless — it is frightening people who feel powerless to stop it.

Residents have also described “Teen Takeovers”, where large groups of young people reportedly gather after meeting through platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat.

The gatherings can quickly move between locations and, according to residents, have been linked to disorder, damaged property, fights and dangerous riding.

One local resident described South Shields as becoming “like the Wild West,” while others said they no longer feel comfortable walking through parts of the town alone.

“I WOULDN’T COME DOWN HERE ON MY OWN”

Keith Guthrie, 67, told The Sun that young people sometimes enter shops, confront security staff and throw items from shelves.

His wife Janice, 64, said she would not visit the town centre alone because of groups of young people riding bikes through the streets.

She claimed police sometimes tell riders to move on, but argued that stronger action is needed.

Other residents described similar fears.

Linda Wilson, 65, said she had seen young people on e-bikes darting between pedestrians, sometimes wearing balaclavas without helmets.

She said residents can feel helpless because confronting the riders could lead to retaliation.

POLICE DATA SHOWS RISE IN REPORTS

The concerns come as police data reportedly shows a significant rise in anti-social behaviour reports in the West Shields and Riverside area, which includes South Shields town centre.

According to figures cited by The Sun, reports increased from 72 in February to 183 in June.

The town has also seen serious incidents involving vehicles.

In June, a four-year-old boy and his mother were reportedly struck by a motorcycle while crossing the road between Ocean Beach Pleasure Park and South Marine Park.

Police later arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

“SWERVE” AND “TEEN TAKEOVERS”

Community campaigner Mark Berriman, who runs the South Tyneside – Action for Enforcement group, said residents regularly report the two social-media-driven trends.

He described “Swerve” as a game designed to intimidate pedestrians, while “Teen Takeovers” can see groups quickly assemble after organising through private social-media posts.

The result, he said, can be large groups appearing within minutes.

For residents, the fear is that what starts as reckless behaviour can quickly escalate into confrontation, disorder or serious injury.

COUNCIL AND POLICE PUSH BACK

Northumbria Police said it takes reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and is working with South Tyneside Council and other partners.

Superintendent Lisa Laverick said youth disorder, street drinking and motorcycle-related anti-social behaviour can cause “significant disruption, alarm and danger” to residents.

She said police also focus on prevention, including educational work in schools and visits to families of young people involved in disorder.

South Tyneside Council also rejected claims that it is merely reacting to the problem.

Councillor Karen Pittuck said the council is carrying out targeted patrols, enforcement against repeat offenders and measures addressing street drinking, youth disorder and motorcycle nuisance.

The council also said residents should continue reporting incidents because reports help authorities identify problem areas and target resources.

A BEAUTIFUL SEASIDE TOWN — BUT RESIDENTS SAY THEY FEEL TRAPPED

South Shields remains known for its coastline, beaches, parks and family attractions.

But residents interviewed by The Sun say the town’s character is being overshadowed by a growing sense of insecurity.

A local social enterprise café manager said staff had noticed more anti-social behaviour around the business, including e-bikes and scooters being ridden dangerously close to pedestrians.

Some residents say they now avoid certain areas altogether.

And with social media allowing large groups of teenagers to organise rapidly and move between locations, locals fear the problem could become even harder to control.

For a seaside community that should be welcoming families and visitors, the question now is whether authorities can regain control before fear becomes the new normal.