Caught on CCTV: Gang of 20 yobs roll giant snowball downhill into busy main road forcing drivers to swerve

By
Leon Watson

Last updated at 12:30 PM on 9th February 2012

Yobs as young as 10 rolled a monster snowball into a busy main road as they terrorised passing drivers and pedestrians.

The 20-strong gang pelted cars, buses and vans with snowballs and were confronted by outraged motorists and residents in Gravesend, Kent.

Police are now studying CCTV footage taken from an Arriva bus to nail a thug who forced open the doors and hurled snowballs at terrified passengers on Sunday.

The 20-strong gang stand and watch armed with snowballs to pelt cars, buses and vans as they go past

Dangerous: A car tries to edge past the giant snowball the gang has pushed into the road as the 20-strong mob waits to pelt vehicles and passers-by in Gravesend, Kent

Dangerous: Yobs as young as 10 roll a monster snowball into a busy main road in Gravesend, Kent

Dangerous: Yobs as young as 10 roll the monster snowball into a busy main road in Gravesend, Kent

Stunned passer-by Janice Hall, 56, said: ‘It’s horrendous. Why on earth would you risk an accident by doing this?

‘It’s just wanton anti-social behaviour. Motorists were pulling up and the kids would just run off and swear at them.’

She added: ‘Residents were coming out to break up the mounds of snow in the road with shovels and they got the same treatment – a barrage of snowballs and abuse and their homes targeted.’

Police were called to the scene to help break up the violent mob.

Close shave: The children target a car that's narrowly avoided hitting the huge snowball

Close shave: The children target a car that has narrowly avoided hitting the huge snowball

Another car veers to the right to avoid the dangerous obstruction as youths look on from up the bank

Another car veers to the right to avoid the dangerous obstruction as youths look on from up the bank

Sergeant Diane Middlemiss, of Kent Police, said: ‘By all means have fun with snowballs, but not if it means you hurt or frighten people or damage their property.

‘Do not throw snowballs at people, vehicles, or people’s homes.’

Superintendent Martin Very, who has overseen the Kent Police response to the severe weather, said: ‘Our control room has been very busy and we have received over 450 emergency 999 calls since 10pm on Sunday, which is an increase of over 60 per cent on the same period last week. Many of these calls relate to traffic incidents.

‘We have also received a number of calls about anti-social behaviour involving snowball throwing and I would urge parents to speak to their children about enjoying the snow safely.

‘I would encourage people to keep themselves safe in this weather and to check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours, friends or relatives and make sure they are safe and warm.

‘Thank you to everyone who has helped with clearing snow and ensuring pavements and paths are safe.’

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
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The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Just remember how “fun” these ideas just to be as kids, as stupid as it sounds you never wanted to intentionally hurt anyone. I spent my teenage years down the local park and cringe when I look back at how much we must have ruined the poor park keepers working life. Kids will be kids, behavious like this should be dealt with, but they’re not a mob gang.

Such is the lack of respect and gumption or our kids these days. What will it be like here in ten or twenty years time if the misguided pc brigade continue to have their way?

Another fine example of Lieba’s wonderful legacy. Feral scum roaming the streets without fear of the law or their parents.

1. Have these kids no common sense?
2. Why is the whole area open plan, bottom of a hill onto a main road? so kids on bikes etc could end up on the road. Common sense should also apply to the planners who “Design” our open spaces.

“…they are just being children who do not realise what they have done may be wrong.
– jaxash, citizenville, uk”
Your naive attitude is laughable. The only people who can use that excuse of not knowing right from wrong are psychopaths. I hope you are not someone working in teaching, social services or the police as you would be putting yourself or the public in danger.

What a load of old fuddy-duddies the DM readership consists of nowadays, they wanna try going into the inner cities where kids are roaming with knives and guns never mind a ball of frozen water!

They was also tageting the 84 yr old behind me who looked very distressed by it all. Late Saturday night 11:45pm 10 of them launched snowballs at the window because my cat was sat up there, yes I know very funny!!! NOT! obviously I told them to do one, which then meant I was a target AGAIN all day on the Sunday. What happened to chasing your mates with snowballs, kids do not care if they cause you stress in your own home any more, its funny to wind people up and get shouted at. Get some respect kids!
– Jane, Berkshire, 9/2/ I agree….happened one summer with eggs, when I lived along a private road. They found it so amusing. However, not as amusing as I did when my boyfriend came home and we pelted them with eggs, tomatoes AND potatoes. Poor little runts…couldn’t see for the tears. Never spotted them in the area again

I just don’t get some people. Ooh, snow. An excuse to hurt people.

Causing anything to be on or over a highway likely to cause injury etc. 7 YEARS on indictment.
When will the police stop wasting valuable resources arresting people for name calling and arrest criminals described in this story who are far more dangerous. I am a retired traffic PC who would not have hesitated to deal with these scumbags . Name callers were given advice not arrested. Senior police should be ashamed.

The situation with children education will eventually get to normal. This new generation of chavs is unlikely to have any awe as to children rights so it is obvious that they will be kicking *** out of their offspring just for anything. Clearly that newer generation will be more tame, though perhaps lacking manners. They will continue beating their own children until finally well-mannered folks wil arise in several generations. Of course, those perhaps will be again too shy to beat their children so again this vicious circle would recommence, but at least it is not a road with one direction.

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