COWARDLY GAMES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 62, 6 December 1930, Page 27

COWARDLY GAMES

Hooligans Ghased on Motor-cycles

Gangs of hooligans are threatening to terrorise the East End of Newcastle, especially on Sundays, and the city police are making efforts to suppress them before they become more dangerous; A sequel was the appearance before the city magistrates of more than a score of young men charged with disorderly behaviour. Motor,- cycle patrols, it was said, have assisted foot police, and one young gangster was chased half a mile by police on machines before he collapsed and was caught. i

The youths before the magistrates varied in age from 18 to 24 years. “The lads go about in gangs every day,” said I a police witness, -and the

chairman, stating “the practice must be stopped,” fined each offender ss. In one case it was said that the youths had gone into a district in which none of them lived, and, by shouting and bawling and jockeying . each other about the road, caused considerable disturbance. When the police appeared they ran away, only to return later with their numbers increased by the addition of their mothers and other relatives.

A woman whom the youths appeared to suspect of informing the police was alleged to have been stoned, while other stones were thrown at her house. When six police officers arrived in the street the youths turned attention to them, it was stated, throwing stones and bottles, and then decamped.