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Fears in Brisbane as anti-cyclist booby traps set

Teenage cyclist garotted by rope trap left by vigilantes

Vigilantes in Queensland are being sought by the police after a number of bike riders were seriously injured by booby traps around Brisbane.

A 17-year-old was garrotted by a rope across a bike path, thrown to the ground and left scarred and needing three days off work.

Ryan Lalor told 7 News: "I was just riding and I didn't see the rope and I just hit it.

"I was just on the ground and I couldn't really breathe for a few seconds.”

Christine Perry said it was the same type of people who abuse cyclists from cars.

She said: ”Be aware, like I said I've driven past them I didn't think they'd escalate to violence against us.”

Queensland Police are investigating the reports along with park rangers, and Senior Sergeant Warren Parker said: "Setting man traps is an offense under the criminal code and a person caught committing that can face serious penalties.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Ben Wilson said: "This is just a mean and vicious thing to do. It's not the right attitude, it's not the right thing.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.

Closer to home, we reported last week how wires have been found strung at neck height across the Brynmenyn cycle path near Bridgend. After receiving three calls in two days about the wires, police have launched an investigation.

Sergeant Jonathan Ridd said police were taking the matter very seriously and warned whoever was responsible that they were committing “a serious offence which could cause very serious harm to somebody.”

He said: “We have increased patrols in the area and are considering other measures that will help us identify who is responsible. For now, it is important that people who legitimately use the area such as walkers, joggers and cyclists, are aware of this issue and remain vigilant.”

Concerned that the wires may be the work of young people who don’t appreciate the seriousness of their actions, police have also visited local schools to speak to children from the area.

In January, a cyclist rode into wire stretched across a path in Cambridge. The wire caught Garry Seddon across the chest and he said had he been on a bike with drop-handlebars or aerobars, it could have connected with his throat.

More recently, a barbed wire booby trap was found placed at chest height across a bike trail in Wormshill, Kent. Daniel Webster spotted the wire while riding uphill. He said had he been approaching from the other direction, he "never would have stood a chance".

 

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8 comments

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whobiggs | 7 years ago
0 likes

The former politician Matthew Parris advocated doing just this some years ago in the UK, mind you I'd better be carefull, he lives round here somewhere! 

Avatar
harrybav | 7 years ago
1 like

Can't think why they use "vigilante". Maybe it's just random? May as well have some fun and go for "paedoterrorist".

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magnatom | 7 years ago
2 likes

Horrible. Mind you sometimes the abuse is very personal. This happened to me recently. http://www.magnatom.net/2016/05/sticks-and-stones.html

Avatar
tritecommentbot replied to magnatom | 7 years ago
1 like

magnatom wrote:

Horrible. Mind you sometimes the abuse is very personal. This happened to me recently. http://www.magnatom.net/2016/05/sticks-and-stones.html

 

Feel pretty pissed seeing that vermin brick your home and car. Hopefully there won't be any more incidents. Maybe a camera pointing down towards the street in the direction the scum slid down would help if possible.

 

That would feel personal. I would take it personally. Though really, at the end of the day it isn't. It's just some scumbag venting their destitute meaningless existence. They feel powerless and doing this sort of thing gives them temporary reprieve from that until the next time someone drives past them in a nice car, walks past in nice clothes, displays an alternative lifestyle choice etc, that they can neither understand or ever attain because they're so utterly intellectually pathetic. 

 

 

Avatar
Must be Mad | 7 years ago
24 likes

Why are they refered to as 'Vigilantes'? Which law are they taking into their own hands?

Avatar
ooldbaker replied to Must be Mad | 7 years ago
1 like

Must be Mad wrote:

Why are they refered to as 'Vigilantes'? Which law are they taking into their own hands?

It is not the perpetrators that they are referring to as "vigilantes" but those referred to in the sentence.

"For now, it is important that people who legitimately use the area such as walkers, joggers and cyclists, are aware of this issue and remain vigilant."

Avatar
kamoshika replied to ooldbaker | 7 years ago
1 like
ooldbaker wrote:

Must be Mad wrote:

Why are they refered to as 'Vigilantes'? Which law are they taking into their own hands?

It is not the perpetrators that they are referring to as "vigilantes" but those referred to in the sentence.

"For now, it is important that people who legitimately use the area such as walkers, joggers and cyclists, are aware of this issue and remain vigilant."

First paragraph?

"Vigilantes in Queensland are being sought by the police after a number of bike riders were seriously injured by booby traps around Brisbane."

Avatar
Aezreth | 7 years ago
5 likes

This is some sick, sick stuff. I hope they catch the perpetrators and charge them with attempted murder.

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