ROTHERHAM: Don't call them 'hoodie scum', police tell victim who complained about yobs

Don't call them 'hoodie scum', police tell victim who complained about yobs

Hoodies turned a Yorkshire village into
'no go' area, partner of road victim claimed

A man who complained about yobs terrorising his girlfriend got a letter back from a top policeman saying he should not call them "hoodie scum".

Alastair Oram's partner had cones hurled at her car by yobs who blocked off a road in a "no-go" area for locals.

Mr Oram, 32, from Rotherham, wrote to police complaining: "Do we take it that Thurcroft is a no-go zone, run by mob rule into which the police are afraid to venture or was it too difficult for you to deal with? "What can only be described as a gang of around ten hoodie scum aged about 14 jumped out in front and behind her car with traffic cones and blocked her."

To his shock, Superintendent Keith Lumley of South Yorkshire Police wrote back "You can't go branding youths 'hoodie scum' - that doesn't give off the right impression."

The reply left the couple bewildered and angry.

But Superintendent Lumley said his partner phoned police ten minutes after the attack and officers had even checked CCTV footage for the culprits, but to no avail.

However, the victim, who did not want to be named, said she was left terrified by the attack in which no police were to be seen.

She said: "It was terrifying - I felt completely alone.

"I was passing through roadworks when I noticed a group of around 15 youths on the pavement. As I approached they leapt out into the road and built a blockade with cones.

"I daren't get out but when I put the car in reverse they had put a row of cones behind me as well.

"They started shouting at me and throwing cones at the car. I got out because I didn't know what else to do. I rushed to move some of the cones out of the way but they carried on throwing the cones.

"Once I'd moved the cones I just drove off as fast as I could."

Superintendent Lumley said: "We will be attempting to contact the complainant and hope to make it clear that every possible step was taken by officers in this case."

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