Exclusive:Leeds man 'went full baboon' as he scared off group of youths trying to steal e-bike in Headingley
A Leeds man said that his instincts kicked in and he “went full baboon” as he stepped in to stop thieves from stealing an e-bike.
Alex Morris was enjoying a morning coffee in Headingley on Monday (November 10) when he saw three youths on two motorbikes pull up on Otley Road at the junction with North Road.
One member of the balaclava-clad crew then began using an angle grinder to try and remove the lock of an electric bike, at which point Mr Morris decided to intervene.
He said: “I immediately rang the police and then I rushed out just with the intention of scaring them but they didn’t look that scared unfortunately.
“The lad with the circular saw then started brandishing it at me and the other lad on the Harley-style motorbike aimed it and revved it at me as if to run me over with it.
“At that point I picked up a chair and stood my ground and started shouting at the top of my lungs to attract attention.
“I went full baboon. Screaming and shouting and trying to scare them off.”
The three youths then fled the scene, with Mr Morris adding: “It was quite a scary moment and not acceptable on a Monday morning at 10am when I was trying to have a latte.
“It was probably 30 seconds but it felt like 10 minutes.
“Obviously they could have taken me down if they wanted to. I’m not a Jiu-Jitsu fan or anything.”
The bike itself was left at the scene and taken into Coffeeboy, where it was not picked up by the owner. It has been kept safe by a member of staff while they wait for collect it.
Mr Morris said that he felt compelled to step in due to his growing frustration at the amount of bike crime that he has recently witnessed in Headingley, where he has lived since 2012.
He said: “My main thing is that we need to start getting this stuff reported. It was 10 o’clock on a Monday. It’s just ridiculous.
“Just the other week I saw a lad on an electric bike flying through a red light. There were two PCSOs in the coffee shop and I said ‘did you see that?’ and they said ‘yes, it’s a shocker isn’t it?’
“If those PCSOs hadn’t reacted like they did I might not have reacted the same way.
“I’m not anti-police by any means. I think they need more resources.
“I don’t want to sound like an old git but we didn’t get this stuff 10 years ago. It’s just so brazen what they are doing.”
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at about 10am on Monday 11 November by a man reporting the attempted theft of an e bike in Leeds.
“The victim had intervened after seeing three masked males on motorbikes attempting to cut the lock off the bike which was secured in bike racks at the junction of North Road and Otley Road.
“The suspects threatened the victim with an angle grinder and then made off empty handed.
“Officers have recorded a crime of common assault in relation to threats made to the victim and enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.
“Anyone who saw or has footage to the incident is asked to contact Leeds Police on 101 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat referencing police crime number 13250647622.
“Information can also be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 08700 555 111.”