Any point reporting to Gardaí?

FledNanders

I was cycling on the Dublin quays a few nights ago when one of a gang of 8-10 teenagers shoved a pole into the spokes of my front wheel, throwing me off the bike.

I was uninjured (thankfully), but it could have certainly been a lot worse. It was a Dublin bike so I wasn't wearing a helmet.

They were the typical 'hoods up, face covered' type of group so I would have no idea what they look like. Plus it was night time.

Is there any point reporting this to the Gardaí, and would it be something they would even look into in any way?

LambshankRedemption

If you report it to the Gardai and they look into it, you should go out and buy yourself a Lotto ticket and a couple of scratch cards.

lisabiscuit

Report it if your willing to make a statement and go to court if necessary. If not then don't.

antfin

I'd report it purely from the perspective that if it happens a few times they might check it out and it might make the kids think twice about doing it if a Garda shows up in the area.

elperello

Certainly report it.

That could have ended very badly for you.

You could have been badly injured in the fall or even worse thrown into the path of traffic.

If crimes are not reported crime figures are not reflecting the real situation in the city.

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122940357#Comment_122940357

It’s not essential that the injured party make a statement and/or provide evidence in court, and the fact that they may not wish to do so should not dissuade them from reporting the matter in the first instance.

HeidiHeidi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122940644#Comment_122940644

This. They need to know what's happening - your individual incident may not result in a prosecution (highly unlikely by the sounds of it) but a pattern of those sort of things happening will definitely lead to an increased attention in the area for a while at least.

They can't react to what they don't know about.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058383864/any-point-reporting-to-gardai

Well it probably won't do you any good, but reporting will add to the crime statistics and maths drives a lot of decisions.

Peregrinus

What others have said. If crimes aren't reported, then the problem isn't identified and action to address it isn't taken.

A successful prosecution in relation to this particular incident, though not impossible, is unlikel. But that's not the only point of reporting a crime.

(Plus, the Dublin bike is likely to have been damaged and, of course, the operator knows you were using it at the time. Your plea of "not my fault!" will be more credible if you can point to a police report.)