Police to tackle skateboard nuisance in Centenary Square, Bradford (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

If the bylaw has been in place since 1998 why hasnt this problem been nipped in the bud earlier. I never quite understand why the authorities wait until issues become problems and then have a purge. Very similiar to allowing some Bdf postcodes to become, over a number of years, some of the worst areas for uninsured vehicles and then having well advertised crackdowns

A number of complaints? Im guessing none from the public.

"On occasion, it can extend to a level of anti-social behaviour, involving intimidation or abuse"

What a load of ****.

So kids on skateboards is big news? What about the cheap lager/cider swilling, unemployed drunks that frequent the square all the time? Opps sorry, we dont target them because that might be more difficult to police!!!

Get a grip!

Mr Police Commisioner. I dont want my money being wasted on this issue whilst uninsured cars are on the streets, whilst drug dealers are still on the loose, and while theft/burgalary is only dealt with by giving a crime number.

Get the priorities straight!

This might annoy a few councillors that frequent City Hall on an evening, but the majority of Bradford folk want you to deal with other, more pressing issues, first!

Why's it need the police to get involved? There's always a load of council civil enforcement officers around there...

They will ban them who run up walls and do the flips incase they land on some one elses head and not their own

What else are they meant to do / where else are they meant to go?

plenty of police officers in bradford after all its such a law abiding city.

collos25 wrote:
plenty of police officers in bradford after all its such a law abiding city.

a cretinous statement form a cretin as many cities have the same issues with crime.

with regards to skating, this is also an issue in Leeds, and i agree it doesnt require a Police response.

Try calling them after youve been burgled, you will receive a crime referance number for your insurance company, possibly because their dealing with "nuisance" skaters.

“The city centre environment is there for everybody to enjoy and we will not tolerate those who threaten to spoil this for its visitors."


The drug dealers/robbers/tram
ps/Horse washers/etc need to be tackled before a couple of kids on skateboards.
Let's be honest, it may as well be used as a playground, it's not much use for owt else...even the fountains are knackered already.

"Fed-up members of the public have made a string of complaints after being barged into and ridden at in Centenary Square. "

Are they talking about people on mobility scooters? & don't forget the oldies with shopping bags on wheels....They're damned dangerous too. :-)

I would rather the police focused their resources on tackling real antisocial behaviour like the one that resulted in the death of an innocent woman last week, rather then having a purge on a few scateboarders who really are hurting nobody.

Bang on the money, we can't have groups of people coming to the City Park to enjoy themselves....oh hang on, isn't that what it was built for?!

Get a grip, the Police have bigger things to worry about than a few kids on skateboards.

My advice if they "skate at you", take a step to the left (or right if you're a lefty) stick your strong arm out and clothesline the . Won't do it again that way.

Leave the skaters alone, as has been said, round up the druggies/winos/deale
rs/ first.
Also the local skate parks are so poorly maintained its actually dangerous to skate some of them, I know personally!,

Kids on skateboards have never caused any problems for me or anybody in my family,but they are easy targets for lazy police,skateboarding is healthy ,ozone friendly,i never seen any of these lads drinking or hardly any smoking ,and most likely buy drinks and food from local shops,more danger from being hit by a bus in Bradford the way they drive ,at the end of the day its a healthy hobby ,if they dont do that what else are they allowed to do,(Bradford council are a bunch of idiots)

I try to avoid getting involved on here, but this is relevant to me. I think a few can be a nuisance and spoil it for the well behaved - and skilled - majority. My son is a very talented free-runner, which, be nature is an urban sport. The gymnastic skill, timing and spacial awareness he demonstrates astounds me.

He is a regular at Bradford Free-running gym. However, he does train outdoors in between and does his best to choose evenings and quiet times. HOWEVER, PCSOs are constantly on his case and have begun threatening him with ASBOs and all sorts. He's a good, respectful kid who's doing no one any harm and is always careful to ensure no one is around so as not to inconvenience or injure the public in any way. This hasn't stopped his card being well and truly marked by the Shipley PCSOs though.

What would the police and council prefer these talented kids do? My son, at 16, doesn't drink, do drugs, hang around in gangs. He doesn't damage property, intimidate anyone, steal cars, burgle houses, or engage in anything whatsoever that the police should be feeling his collar for. He goes to college. He's serious about his future. He's also serious about his sport.

It sometimes feels as though everyone wants to get kids, in general, off the streets. I don't want my child sat inside staring into a screen - it's depressing and demotivating. Nor do I want him sat in some park drinking cheap cider. I want him to do what he does; getting out there into the world, burning off youthful energy and honing an amazing skill.

Why not invite these kids to come to Centenary Square more often to demonstrate their skills to the public in a cordoned off area? Show the kids and the public that we actually celebrate and appreciate kids like these who are actually doing something productive.

Maybe then the kids who are wasting their lives - and taking up police time - will see that there are things they can get involved in, that might actually make them feel good!

Don't alienate all these kids. USE them!! They're free advertising for groups, clubs, gyms and park facilities in Bradford. Show the city's kids that you support them for being non-criminals. Don't criminalise them too!

I love this city, but it needs to get its focus right. There are huge benefits to be made by everyone by engaging these kids and huge resources being squandered on 'policing' them.

Let's have some perspective please!

So why has the T&A not shown the faces of the 2 in the picture if skateboarding is such a crime that the Police need to be involved?

Good luck with getting the Police involved by the way. They seem to slope shoulders on anything and everything these days. I can hardly see them wanting to get involved in this.

As others have said they do not want to tackle real crime never mind skateboarding in a public place.

yorkshiredude wrote:
What else are they meant to do / where else are they meant to go?

I know of skateboard parks in Cottingley, Baildon and Shipley, there are doubtless more up and down. If people can travel to the city centre to do this, they can just as easily travel elsewhere.

Some of this mornings pavements gave the full skateboard experience without a board!

wrosegirl wrote:
I try to avoid getting involved on here, but this is relevant to me. I think a few can be a nuisance and spoil it for the well behaved - and skilled - majority. My son is a very talented free-runner, which, be nature is an urban sport. The gymnastic skill, timing and spacial awareness he demonstrates astounds me.

He is a regular at Bradford Free-running gym. However, he does train outdoors in between and does his best to choose evenings and quiet times. HOWEVER, PCSOs are constantly on his case and have begun threatening him with ASBOs and all sorts. He's a good, respectful kid who's doing no one any harm and is always careful to ensure no one is around so as not to inconvenience or injure the public in any way. This hasn't stopped his card being well and truly marked by the Shipley PCSOs though.

What would the police and council prefer these talented kids do? My son, at 16, doesn't drink, do drugs, hang around in gangs. He doesn't damage property, intimidate anyone, steal cars, burgle houses, or engage in anything whatsoever that the police should be feeling his collar for. He goes to college. He's serious about his future. He's also serious about his sport.

It sometimes feels as though everyone wants to get kids, in general, off the streets. I don't want my child sat inside staring into a screen - it's depressing and demotivating. Nor do I want him sat in some park drinking cheap cider. I want him to do what he does; getting out there into the world, burning off youthful energy and honing an amazing skill.

Why not invite these kids to come to Centenary Square more often to demonstrate their skills to the public in a cordoned off area? Show the kids and the public that we actually celebrate and appreciate kids like these who are actually doing something productive.

Maybe then the kids who are wasting their lives - and taking up police time - will see that there are things they can get involved in, that might actually make them feel good!

Don't alienate all these kids. USE them!! They're free advertising for groups, clubs, gyms and park facilities in Bradford. Show the city's kids that you support them for being non-criminals. Don't criminalise them too!

I love this city, but it needs to get its focus right. There are huge benefits to be made by everyone by engaging these kids and huge resources being squandered on 'policing' them.

Let's have some perspective please!

Indeed so, and the opening event at the unveiling of City Park was...free runners!

wrosegirl wrote:
I try to avoid getting involved on here, but this is relevant to me. I think a few can be a nuisance and spoil it for the well behaved - and skilled - majority. My son is a very talented free-runner, which, be nature is an urban sport. The gymnastic skill, timing and spacial awareness he demonstrates astounds me.

He is a regular at Bradford Free-running gym. However, he does train outdoors in between and does his best to choose evenings and quiet times. HOWEVER, PCSOs are constantly on his case and have begun threatening him with ASBOs and all sorts. He's a good, respectful kid who's doing no one any harm and is always careful to ensure no one is around so as not to inconvenience or injure the public in any way. This hasn't stopped his card being well and truly marked by the Shipley PCSOs though.

What would the police and council prefer these talented kids do? My son, at 16, doesn't drink, do drugs, hang around in gangs. He doesn't damage property, intimidate anyone, steal cars, burgle houses, or engage in anything whatsoever that the police should be feeling his collar for. He goes to college. He's serious about his future. He's also serious about his sport.

It sometimes feels as though everyone wants to get kids, in general, off the streets. I don't want my child sat inside staring into a screen - it's depressing and demotivating. Nor do I want him sat in some park drinking cheap cider. I want him to do what he does; getting out there into the world, burning off youthful energy and honing an amazing skill.

Why not invite these kids to come to Centenary Square more often to demonstrate their skills to the public in a cordoned off area? Show the kids and the public that we actually celebrate and appreciate kids like these who are actually doing something productive.

Maybe then the kids who are wasting their lives - and taking up police time - will see that there are things they can get involved in, that might actually make them feel good!

Don't alienate all these kids. USE them!! They're free advertising for groups, clubs, gyms and park facilities in Bradford. Show the city's kids that you support them for being non-criminals. Don't criminalise them too!

I love this city, but it needs to get its focus right. There are huge benefits to be made by everyone by engaging these kids and huge resources being squandered on 'policing' them.

Let's have some perspective please!

Good idea, let these 'criminals' actually showcase their talents and skills by giving a display in a cordoned area, make it a regular event. Or wasn't the 'square' designed for young people to enjoy too?

We could also then have the 'drunk tramp' acrobatic team complete with vocal abuse and begging as a further sideshow as for some reason these seem to be more welcome in and around the city centre than young men and women.

Come on get a grip council, stop wasting time and money on something so unimportant and either provide an area of the park which can be sectioned off for use for certain events and groups or just leave them alone and start with the real issues mentioned by so many above. That is what the council tax paying public really care about.

This has been a bit of a problem in the "city park" for donkeys' years - last time I ventured there it was kids doing wheelies on BMX bikes.
Surely it's not beyond the council to put a warden in the park during the day, just to warn the kids about it, or, as has been suggested already, set aside an area for such activities.
The warden could perhaps stop people feeding the 'flying rats' as well!

wrosegirl wrote:
I try to avoid getting involved on here, but this is relevant to me. I think a few can be a nuisance and spoil it for the well behaved - and skilled - majority. My son is a very talented free-runner, which, be nature is an urban sport. The gymnastic skill, timing and spacial awareness he demonstrates astounds me.

He is a regular at Bradford Free-running gym. However, he does train outdoors in between and does his best to choose evenings and quiet times. HOWEVER, PCSOs are constantly on his case and have begun threatening him with ASBOs and all sorts. He's a good, respectful kid who's doing no one any harm and is always careful to ensure no one is around so as not to inconvenience or injure the public in any way. This hasn't stopped his card being well and truly marked by the Shipley PCSOs though.

What would the police and council prefer these talented kids do? My son, at 16, doesn't drink, do drugs, hang around in gangs. He doesn't damage property, intimidate anyone, steal cars, burgle houses, or engage in anything whatsoever that the police should be feeling his collar for. He goes to college. He's serious about his future. He's also serious about his sport.

It sometimes feels as though everyone wants to get kids, in general, off the streets. I don't want my child sat inside staring into a screen - it's depressing and demotivating. Nor do I want him sat in some park drinking cheap cider. I want him to do what he does; getting out there into the world, burning off youthful energy and honing an amazing skill.

Why not invite these kids to come to Centenary Square more often to demonstrate their skills to the public in a cordoned off area? Show the kids and the public that we actually celebrate and appreciate kids like these who are actually doing something productive.

Maybe then the kids who are wasting their lives - and taking up police time - will see that there are things they can get involved in, that might actually make them feel good!

Don't alienate all these kids. USE them!! They're free advertising for groups, clubs, gyms and park facilities in Bradford. Show the city's kids that you support them for being non-criminals. Don't criminalise them too!

I love this city, but it needs to get its focus right. There are huge benefits to be made by everyone by engaging these kids and huge resources being squandered on 'policing' them.

Let's have some perspective please!

Admirable comment, hope the council is listening!

Love what Wrosegirl wrote!!!

Love what Wrosegirl wrote!!!

Bradford should be the nicest and best city centre in the UK if Skateboarders is newsworthy!

But it isnt is it?

There are many more annoying and/or criminal things going on in our city centre than this and the council allow it to happen.
I am getting very good at the new sport of charity canvasser avoidance. If I slalom down Darley Street without making eye contact with one, I treat myself to a Greggs pasty at the bottom!

Also trying to perfect my "holding my breath at every doorway to avoid passive smoke" particularly by the kirkgate escalator entrance, where I cant hold my breath and tell the baloon, cheap toy selling person to go away with his bubble machine!

the yellow line parking spotting, and double parking spotting is a good timefiller too, as is the avoiding eyecontact with smoking young offenders at the young offenders office at the bottom of Darley street. One look and they kill.

But thats ok, theres a few kids travelling into the city centre from the suburbs to skate on a flat, often unused civic square. We'll sort them out first!

mad matt wrote:
This has been a bit of a problem in the "city park" for donkeys' years - last time I ventured there it was kids doing wheelies on BMX bikes. Surely it's not beyond the council to put a warden in the park during the day, just to warn the kids about it, or, as has been suggested already, set aside an area for such activities. The warden could perhaps stop people feeding the 'flying rats' as well!

The council have thought long and hard over your suggestion regarding the positioning of the warden.

They have come up with,

Income stopping such behavour in City Park = £0 per hour.

versus,

Income from ticketing cars parks minutes outside their pay and display time £100+ per hour.

It doesn't look like anything will change anytime soon. Income over Safety for Bradford Council.

After all this time they could have built the kids a skateboard park at the hole in the ground!

name and shame these nasty wicked skateboarders ,as if bratfud has not got enough problems !!! lol

They just need to work out a way to catch them now.
They are pretty nimble you know.

By-laws can only be enforced if you are inside the area covered by the by-law at the time you are stopped ,flee beyond it and your home and dry.

vax2002 wrote:
They just need to work out a way to catch them now.
They are pretty nimble you know.

By-laws can only be enforced if you are inside the area covered by the by-law at the time you are stopped ,flee beyond it and your home and dry.

Netting which rises from the ground by remote control!.....I just happen to have a system for sale (only £34m).

I don't know who these kids think they are, surely the schools stopped teaching that we live in a free country a long time ago?.

I was going to come on and have a right old rant but everyone has beaten me to it.

It says in the article that some of the skaters are rude and abusive, maybe if the T&A spoke to the skaters they would find that some of them get abused first and are just replying in kind.

Poor journalism by this paper. This is why I stopped my subscription over two months ago but they are still delivering it. :) Glad I have kept the note to say they have accepted my cancellation and that I would not be charged any further. :)

wrosegirl has written some of the most sensible comments i've seen for a long time, i mean 20-25 years. Top lass!!!

I cannot understand how this is news . Where else do these kids have to skateboard . Totally agree with an earlier post why don't they confront the people drinking alcohol in the city centre instead of picking easy targets . It's sad that they think this is a issue which needs the police to be involved I would rather see kids enjoying themselves on skateboards than causing anti- social behaviour which never seems to be addressed . Stop this childish behaviour and focus on the real problems the city centre is experiencing .

I think police time would be better employed catching those selfish drivers who abuse two plus lanes, by driving up them when they do not have a passenger. If enough were caught, it could possibly reduce my council tax.

And, being as we cannot post on this article;;;;;http://w
ww.thetelegraphandar
gus.co.uk/news/10086
244.Saltaire_mum_s_a
nger_over_ungritted_
roads_on_school_run/
?ref=la

Thats a no brainer.. Dont contribute to the congestion by taking your gas guzzler on a school run.. Get some exercise and walk, or use the bus.

I think the council are skating on thin ice with this one. I personally will have no truck with this story as it has no bearing on how badly the whole spend on the city park has been wasted and frankly I am board to the deck with it wheeling on and on. Its a city park FGS, what do they expect the kids to be doing....perhaps they think the NEETS should have a job...they need to get on their skatboards to find one.

WayneRouke wrote:
And, being as we cannot post on this article;;;;;http://w

ww.thetelegraphandar

gus.co.uk/news/10086

244.Saltaire_mum_s_a

nger_over_ungritted_

roads_on_school_run/

?ref=la

Thats a no brainer.. Dont contribute to the congestion by taking your gas guzzler on a school run.. Get some exercise and walk, or use the bus.

She did walk! It was about slippery pavements.

Albion. wrote:

WayneRouke wrote:
And, being as we cannot post on this article;;;;;http://w


ww.thetelegraphandar


gus.co.uk/news/10086


244.Saltaire_mum_s_a


nger_over_ungritted_


roads_on_school_run/


?ref=la

Thats a no brainer.. Dont contribute to the congestion by taking your gas guzzler on a school run.. Get some exercise and walk, or use the bus.

She did walk! It was about slippery pavements.

Sorry, wasnt directed at her, but at motorists who clog the roads taking children to school.. Sorry for confusion.

You can hardly blame the Skateboarders for thinking they will be okay doing this in our City Park. Surely the word "park" being the operative word here. Until the Council gives the same funding to all areas of Bradford for this sport, if this gets stopped here, it will only start up somewhere else.

Apollo wrote:
So why has the T&A not shown the faces of the 2 in the picture if skateboarding is such a crime that the Police need to be involved?

Good luck with getting the Police involved by the way. They seem to slope shoulders on anything and everything these days. I can hardly see them wanting to get involved in this.

As others have said they do not want to tackle real crime never mind skateboarding in a public place.

The police are getting involved with everything these days. It is even reported in some daily papers that primary school children are being locked up by the police. Surely this cannot be legal - they are kids and should be dealt with accordingly.

Yorkshire Lass wrote:
You can hardly blame the Skateboarders for thinking they will be okay doing this in our City Park. Surely the word "park" being the operative word here. Until the Council gives the same funding to all areas of Bradford for this sport, if this gets stopped here, it will only start up somewhere else.

See my post timed at 11.10am.

Well written wrosegirl, complete waste of Police resources. Perhaps we should stage a protest, I'll dig out my old Fibreflex with Kryp's !!!! I'm not too old at 49 to be arrested for "juvenile behaviour".

Wrosegirl, great post and agree 100%.

'leave those kids alone'

Seems a bit over the top, after all it's just a few virgins doing something to occupy their sad lives.
I wonder if the council would be so quick to act if it involved a different ethnic group.

Skateboarding can occasionally be annoying to the public, but it's a positive, creative and healthy pursuit that keeps kids away from far more dangerous distractions.

Bradford hasn't got much going for it, but it's always punched above it's weight with skateboarding.

The 'cover star' of the current issue of Sidewalk (top UK skate magazine) is from Bradford and grew up on the Bierley estate.

One of Britain's top female skaters is from Bradford, she's paid to skate by top US companies (Vans, Roxy) and gets to travel the world competing.

This aspiration should be celebrated and encouraged, Bradford could be leading the way.

Re: skateboarding article

Skateboarders gather in city park as it is a built up area. These purposely built skateparks which are spoken of are hidden away in parks which suits well in summer and during daylight hours however these places are where we "nuisense skaters" become the victims, an example of this being: In wibsey park there has been numourous times when skaters and bmx riders have been mugged, assaulted, threatened etc. Hence our reasoning to gather in a built up area. Its a sense of safety as we are in public view. An indoor skatepark being opened in bradford would surely clear the street of skaters, bmx riders and the increasingly popular scooter sport as does 'the works skatepark' in leeds or 'mags on ramps skatepark' in halifax . I believe the reasoning behind this 10 to 30 youths gathering is not for intimidation purposes but is skateboarding brings people together, therefore everybody is a friend this isn't some cult or gang behaviour its simply a gathering of friends enjoying what they love to do, which is skate.

Anyway, whatever your views on this matter, the results of the poll are pretty conclusive.

Surely the pole is merely indicative.

Surely the poll is merely indicative.

Outraged English Subject wrote:
Surely the poll is merely indicative.

Any poll or election can be considered "merely indicative" but that is how things work.

That was my point.

NameOfTheUser wrote:
Re: skateboarding article

Skateboarders gather in city park as it is a built up area. These purposely built skateparks which are spoken of are hidden away in parks which suits well in summer and during daylight hours however these places are where we "nuisense skaters" become the victims, an example of this being: In wibsey park there has been numourous times when skaters and bmx riders have been mugged, assaulted, threatened etc. Hence our reasoning to gather in a built up area. Its a sense of safety as we are in public view. An indoor skatepark being opened in bradford would surely clear the street of skaters, bmx riders and the increasingly popular scooter sport as does 'the works skatepark' in leeds or 'mags on ramps skatepark' in halifax . I believe the reasoning behind this 10 to 30 youths gathering is not for intimidation purposes but is skateboarding brings people together, therefore everybody is a friend this isn't some cult or gang behaviour its simply a gathering of friends enjoying what they love to do, which is skate.

Well said, I am assuming, young man. Two great contributions on this article, yourself and wrosegirl.

Safety and light being two things that remote parks cannot offer.

For goodness sake !!! These are youngsters enjoying a healthy outdoor pursuit. In my humble opinion the problem is the selfish attitude of older people who would do well to remember when they were young.

The park (sic) is there for all to enjoy, and if it means standing aside to let a youngster on his or her skateboard through, then stand aside and smile.

I consider myself young (at heart), being a mere 59 years old, and I'm about to put my red suit on and go enjoy being with the hooligans at our local Primary school.

Just a final note to the person who ran her shopping trolley into me in Asda Shipley 1 week ago; My leg has nearly healed. I am sorry I was in your way and I do hope you got to the Post Office in time to collect your pension as you didn't have time to apologise.

Mummys little Sunbeam wrote:
For goodness sake !!! These are youngsters enjoying a healthy outdoor pursuit. In my humble opinion the problem is the selfish attitude of older people who would do well to remember when they were young.

The park (sic) is there for all to enjoy, and if it means standing aside to let a youngster on his or her skateboard through, then stand aside and smile.

I consider myself young (at heart), being a mere 59 years old, and I'm about to put my red suit on and go enjoy being with the hooligans at our local Primary school.

Just a final note to the person who ran her shopping trolley into me in Asda Shipley 1 week ago; My leg has nearly healed. I am sorry I was in your way and I do hope you got to the Post Office in time to collect your pension as you didn't have time to apologise.

If you thought that was bad, wait until a skateboarder runs you down ;-)

Chances are they would stop, apologise, and help you on your way. Quite the opposite of the experience described above.

The most cranky, ignorant and morose are the over 50s but they don't seem to have their rudeness and poor attitude pointed out or attacked.

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
Chances are they would stop, apologise, and help you on your way. Quite the opposite of the experience described above.

The most cranky, ignorant and morose are the over 50s but they don't seem to have their rudeness and poor attitude pointed out or attacked.

Correct.

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
Chances are they would stop, apologise, and help you on your way. Quite the opposite of the experience described above.

The most cranky, ignorant and morose are the over 50s but they don't seem to have their rudeness and poor attitude pointed out or attacked.

I should imagine that if it happened where they had been told not to do it, the chances are that they would leg it.... We are both guessing though.

thingybob68 wrote:

collos25 wrote: plenty of police officers in bradford after all its such a law abiding city.

a cretinous statement form a cretin as many cities have the same issues with crime. with regards to skating, this is also an issue in Leeds, and i agree it doesnt require a Police response. Try calling them after youve been burgled, you will receive a crime referance number for your insurance company, possibly because their dealing with "nuisance" skaters.

It may surprise you but I think not as you may have to think for once.Leeds has 4 times as many police per head of population at night Bradford on a regular basis has to borrow officers from outside divisions and I am sure theey have better things to do than bother with a few skateborders like drug dealers,drunkards and thief's.
The second part you actually agreed with me idiot.

Let the council's enforcement officers deal with the skateboarders and give motorists a break whilst they are doing so. The police have more serious things to concentrate on such as solving the recent 41 violent burglaries targetting jewellery and cash - front page T&A today.

Albion. wrote:

Mummys little Sunbeam wrote:
For goodness sake !!! These are youngsters enjoying a healthy outdoor pursuit. In my humble opinion the problem is the selfish attitude of older people who would do well to remember when they were young.

The park (sic) is there for all to enjoy, and if it means standing aside to let a youngster on his or her skateboard through, then stand aside and smile.

I consider myself young (at heart), being a mere 59 years old, and I'm about to put my red suit on and go enjoy being with the hooligans at our local Primary school.

Just a final note to the person who ran her shopping trolley into me in Asda Shipley 1 week ago; My leg has nearly healed. I am sorry I was in your way and I do hope you got to the Post Office in time to collect your pension as you didn't have time to apologise.

If you thought that was bad, wait until a skateboarder runs you down ;-)

Add puschairs to the above..

I dont think any are deliberate, but sorry often helps as I am hopping about after somebody with skateboard/trolley/p
uschair as just gone right over my ingrowing toenail (it really does hurt)

I Dont agree with wat has been sed on here i mean these are my friends y ruin our fun ??

As a skater myself I found this article hurtful it once again portrays skateboarding as a crime. I know one of the skaters photographed who is a genuinly nice guy. I don't understand why the Council wants to make us out as criminals. The Council will forever contradict themselfs by telling us to 'stay healthy' but ban sports from the city centre. We have told the community that we need a skatepark near the city centre. They made a skatepark in Girlington (a 45 minute walk from the city centre) this was a nuisense to us. We know tons of places around the city centre they could be easily converted into a skatepark. We have infact told police officers about all these places but nothing seems to be happening. All we want to do is enjoy ourselfs with our friends is that hard to ask for in Bradford. Seems not...

OnlyOne wrote:
As a skater myself I found this article hurtful it once again portrays skateboarding as a crime. I know one of the skaters photographed who is a genuinly nice guy. I don't understand why the Council wants to make us out as criminals. The Council will forever contradict themselfs by telling us to 'stay healthy' but ban sports from the city centre. We have told the community that we need a skatepark near the city centre. They made a skatepark in Girlington (a 45 minute walk from the city centre) this was a nuisense to us. We know tons of places around the city centre they could be easily converted into a skatepark. We have infact told police officers about all these places but nothing seems to be happening. All we want to do is enjoy ourselfs with our friends is that hard to ask for in Bradford. Seems not...

"As a skater myself I found this article hurtful it once again portrays skateboarding as a crime."
Well you have to do it where you are allowed to do it.

"We know tons of places around the city centre they could be easily converted into a skatepark."
Are you prepared to buy them?
There was a readers poll on here and the results were two to one against you, this suggests that the majority don't want you there.

no, skateboarders re not thugs!
we are not idiots or a nuisance. what would we be doing if we weren't skating? probably joining the drunk old men... we'd be under-age drinking on the streets, taking drugs, and being a hell of a lot more of a handful if we wern't skating. the money most teenagers spend on drugs and alcohol we spend making our skateboards how we like. believe it or not, skateboards cost a lot. wheels themselves can be around £60 for all of them. thats just the wheels

"The issues mainly surround intimidation, either through people being knocked into, or skated at." - in all the 6 years i have been skating neither me nor my friends have ever skated into anybody or intimidated anybody purposely, if anything, public will be intimidated because the media posts things like this making us all out to be "bullying yobs" and thats what makes people scared.

the council have made a water feature in bradford, yes it looks pretty, yes its a lovely tourist point but it also attracts the wrong type of people. in the summer, children will be in the fountains with hardly any clothes on and this will attracts paedophiles. police are saying that this wont happen because they have officers that watch over the area. they wouldn't have to have officers there if the fountains weren't there and they could be working on other projects such as high crime like muggings and robbery.

in the urban garden there is already a gratified wall, its a suggestion that the council build a small skate park there. if we had somewhere to go then we would be a pain in the town centre.

the council will do all it takes to make ridiculous events such as the two weeks light show that were in the town centre recently, but not build something that will in turn cause the police less trouble because they wont be having to deal with us all the time.

the councils logic is messed up.

logicismessy wrote:
no, skateboarders re not thugs!
we are not idiots or a nuisance. what would we be doing if we weren't skating? probably joining the drunk old men... we'd be under-age drinking on the streets, taking drugs, and being a hell of a lot more of a handful if we wern't skating. the money most teenagers spend on drugs and alcohol we spend making our skateboards how we like. believe it or not, skateboards cost a lot. wheels themselves can be around £60 for all of them. thats just the wheels

"The issues mainly surround intimidation, either through people being knocked into, or skated at." - in all the 6 years i have been skating neither me nor my friends have ever skated into anybody or intimidated anybody purposely, if anything, public will be intimidated because the media posts things like this making us all out to be "bullying yobs" and thats what makes people scared.

the council have made a water feature in bradford, yes it looks pretty, yes its a lovely tourist point but it also attracts the wrong type of people. in the summer, children will be in the fountains with hardly any clothes on and this will attracts paedophiles. police are saying that this wont happen because they have officers that watch over the area. they wouldn't have to have officers there if the fountains weren't there and they could be working on other projects such as high crime like muggings and robbery.

in the urban garden there is already a gratified wall, its a suggestion that the council build a small skate park there. if we had somewhere to go then we would be a pain in the town centre.

the council will do all it takes to make ridiculous events such as the two weeks light show that were in the town centre recently, but not build something that will in turn cause the police less trouble because they wont be having to deal with us all the time.

the councils logic is messed up.

"will in turn cause the police less trouble because they wont be having to deal with us all the time."
They shouldn't be having to deal with you anyway, You're not supposed to be there!

Shelfrhino wrote:
Seems a bit over the top, after all it's just a few virgins doing something to occupy their sad lives. I wonder if the council would be so quick to act if it involved a different ethnic group.

Is that the best you can offer? You sad,sad little person. Run along now - grown ups are discussing something. There's a good lad.

There's a growing cult amongst teenagers who love skateboarding around our city centres. It's becoming endemic across the country. Perhaps it's time that there was a league, and proper permission for certain times - Sunday morning, for example.

Albion. wrote:

OnlyOne wrote:
As a skater myself I found this article hurtful it once again portrays skateboarding as a crime. I know one of the skaters photographed who is a genuinly nice guy. I don't understand why the Council wants to make us out as criminals. The Council will forever contradict themselfs by telling us to 'stay healthy' but ban sports from the city centre. We have told the community that we need a skatepark near the city centre. They made a skatepark in Girlington (a 45 minute walk from the city centre) this was a nuisense to us. We know tons of places around the city centre they could be easily converted into a skatepark. We have infact told police officers about all these places but nothing seems to be happening. All we want to do is enjoy ourselfs with our friends is that hard to ask for in Bradford. Seems not...

"As a skater myself I found this article hurtful it once again portrays skateboarding as a crime."
Well you have to do it where you are allowed to do it.

"We know tons of places around the city centre they could be easily converted into a skatepark."
Are you prepared to buy them?
There was a readers poll on here and the results were two to one against you, this suggests that the majority don't want you there.

Only three people voted, "majority don't want you there" what rubbish! Keep on skating respectfully, and hopefully the council shall one day hear you.

If you enjoy your skating go for it.
Don't be bullied by these contemptible officials dishing out there orders.
Can just see them now moaning in their CCTV rooms at skateboards the planks.

Outraged English Subject wrote:

Albion. wrote:

OnlyOne wrote:
As a skater myself I found this article hurtful it once again portrays skateboarding as a crime. I know one of the skaters photographed who is a genuinly nice guy. I don't understand why the Council wants to make us out as criminals. The Council will forever contradict themselfs by telling us to 'stay healthy' but ban sports from the city centre. We have told the community that we need a skatepark near the city centre. They made a skatepark in Girlington (a 45 minute walk from the city centre) this was a nuisense to us. We know tons of places around the city centre they could be easily converted into a skatepark. We have infact told police officers about all these places but nothing seems to be happening. All we want to do is enjoy ourselfs with our friends is that hard to ask for in Bradford. Seems not...

"As a skater myself I found this article hurtful it once again portrays skateboarding as a crime."
Well you have to do it where you are allowed to do it.

"We know tons of places around the city centre they could be easily converted into a skatepark."
Are you prepared to buy them?
There was a readers poll on here and the results were two to one against you, this suggests that the majority don't want you there.

Only three people voted, "majority don't want you there" what rubbish! Keep on skating respectfully, and hopefully the council shall one day hear you.

How many voted in the recent police commissioner elections? in one polling station none! but the overall winner still gets in.
Besides which, the T&A don't publicise the figures, but I personally know more than three that voted and not all the same way.
"Keep on skating" very good advice, teaching kids to defy the authorities and get in trouble with the police.....not!

Leeds and Manchester both have healthy skateboarding communities. The guys over in Leeds are really gifted - I'd use the word 'spectacular.' In Manchester they don't seem to be quite as good, although I may have only seen a small sample of skateboarders. Both Leeds and Manchester have something in common: They always begin their sport in the evenings when everyone goes home for tea. For some reason the guys in Bradford have decided to ignore this initiative.

Albion. wrote:

Outraged English Subject wrote:

Albion. wrote:

OnlyOne wrote:
As a skater myself I found this article hurtful it once again portrays skateboarding as a crime. I know one of the skaters photographed who is a genuinly nice guy. I don't understand why the Council wants to make us out as criminals. The Council will forever contradict themselfs by telling us to 'stay healthy' but ban sports from the city centre. We have told the community that we need a skatepark near the city centre. They made a skatepark in Girlington (a 45 minute walk from the city centre) this was a nuisense to us. We know tons of places around the city centre they could be easily converted into a skatepark. We have infact told police officers about all these places but nothing seems to be happening. All we want to do is enjoy ourselfs with our friends is that hard to ask for in Bradford. Seems not...

"As a skater myself I found this article hurtful it once again portrays skateboarding as a crime."
Well you have to do it where you are allowed to do it.

"We know tons of places around the city centre they could be easily converted into a skatepark."
Are you prepared to buy them?
There was a readers poll on here and the results were two to one against you, this suggests that the majority don't want you there.

Only three people voted, "majority don't want you there" what rubbish! Keep on skating respectfully, and hopefully the council shall one day hear you.

How many voted in the recent police commissioner elections? in one polling station none! but the overall winner still gets in.
Besides which, the T&A don't publicise the figures, but I personally know more than three that voted and not all the same way.
"Keep on skating" very good advice, teaching kids to defy the authorities and get in trouble with the police.....not!

lol, "results of the poll are pretty conclusive." "the majority don't want you there." "but I personally know" big words for someone who does not even know how many people voted. Historically it’s being socially and politically correct for certain rules and regulations to be implemented for years, until some people come along with a BACKBONE and changed them! But! Yes I see it now, you’re absolutely correct… NOT!

Outraged English Subject wrote:

Albion. wrote:

Outraged English Subject wrote:

Albion. wrote:

OnlyOne wrote:
As a skater myself I found this article hurtful it once again portrays skateboarding as a crime. I know one of the skaters photographed who is a genuinly nice guy. I don't understand why the Council wants to make us out as criminals. The Council will forever contradict themselfs by telling us to 'stay healthy' but ban sports from the city centre. We have told the community that we need a skatepark near the city centre. They made a skatepark in Girlington (a 45 minute walk from the city centre) this was a nuisense to us. We know tons of places around the city centre they could be easily converted into a skatepark. We have infact told police officers about all these places but nothing seems to be happening. All we want to do is enjoy ourselfs with our friends is that hard to ask for in Bradford. Seems not...

"As a skater myself I found this article hurtful it once again portrays skateboarding as a crime."
Well you have to do it where you are allowed to do it.

"We know tons of places around the city centre they could be easily converted into a skatepark."
Are you prepared to buy them?
There was a readers poll on here and the results were two to one against you, this suggests that the majority don't want you there.

Only three people voted, "majority don't want you there" what rubbish! Keep on skating respectfully, and hopefully the council shall one day hear you.

How many voted in the recent police commissioner elections? in one polling station none! but the overall winner still gets in.
Besides which, the T&A don't publicise the figures, but I personally know more than three that voted and not all the same way.
"Keep on skating" very good advice, teaching kids to defy the authorities and get in trouble with the police.....not!

lol, "results of the poll are pretty conclusive." "the majority don't want you there." "but I personally know" big words for someone who does not even know how many people voted. Historically it’s being socially and politically correct for certain rules and regulations to be implemented for years, until some people come along with a BACKBONE and changed them! But! Yes I see it now, you’re absolutely correct… NOT!

"Keep on skating respectfully,” that’s what I said, don't you miss quote me again Albino.