Ward demands more action on scramblers as Gardaí given more powers to tackle issue

Sinn Féin spokesperson on community safety Mark Ward has welcomed a change of policy to allow Gardaí to pursue those on scramblers, scooters and electric bikes who are involved in crime and anti-social behaviour.

The Dublin Mid-West TD said that his party had been demanding action on scramblers for years and that last week’s announcement was a welcome first step.

Ward said that “there is a significant problem with scramblers in many communities and those involved in crime and anti-social behaviour were taking advantage of the fact that gardaí were not permitted to pursue scramblers.”

“It is clear there needs to be a wider focus on creating safe communities and cracking down on anti-social behaviour and crime that is impacting on the quality of life for far too many people. Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their homes, on their streets and in public spaces. We need more Garda visibility in communities, but we also need to deal with specific challenges including the use of scramblers.

“There are serious issues in a number of areas of those using scramblers terrorising and injuring people. Many people feel frightened, unsafe and intimidated by those involved in anti-social behaviour using scrambler bikes in public spaces including parks and housing estates. People have been seriously injured in the past and communities have felt let down by the inaction of government.

“This has been a particular issue for communities in my constituency of Dublin Mid-West and I know from my Dublin Sinn Féin colleagues, that it is prevalent right across the county. People deserve the right to feel safe in their communities and a focused response is needed to make sure this is the case.

“Alongside my colleague Paul Donnelly, I introduced the Criminal Justice (Public Order) (Quadbikes and Scramblers) (Amendment) Bill 2021 on behalf of Sinn Féin to give Gardaí the power to seize and detain quad bikes and scramblers when being used unlawfully in public parks and green spaces.”

“Such additional powers will need to be looked at if this issue is to be properly tackled as part of a wider plan to make communities safer,” he said.