A Dublin councillor is calling for more resources to be put in place to try stop joyriding incidents and to provide a safe space for scramblers in west Dublin.
Tallaght councillor Liam Sinclair told Dublin Live that many people are aware of a video circulating after six teenagers led gardai on a chase through Ballyfermot and Clondalkin last week.
The six teenagers were arrested before being released from custody, pending a referral to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme.
Cllr Sinclair told Dublin Live: "We hear about joyriding and scramblers on a regular basis, it's not a new problem. But there has been an increase lately in both with scramblers being the biggest issue."
He said joyriding has changed in recent years.
"When I was a child growing up in the 90's when we were talking about joyriders they were generally cars that were stolen then driven around and burnt out."
Nowadays Cllr Sinclair said that joyriders are using up all the fuel in the tanks of cars before abandoning them.
Cllr Sinclair added: "The solution that a lot of people would like is more powers being given to the guards.
"I suppose there's a place for that but I think more supports could be given to gardai in the form of more personnel at the local stations, and more teenspaces in the area."
Cllr Sinclair said that there is a real need to encourage teenagers to stay in education.
He said: "We could also create more places where teenagers can bring the scramblers to a safe environment without impinging on anyone's peace."
It comes after last month the government announced it would provide €200,000 worth of funding to help deal with scramblers in Dublin and Limerick.
The funding will be implemented at a local level in a number of Dublin community projects to educate kids with scramblers and quad bikes and deal with antisocial behaviour.
Funds will also be used for training kids in bike skills, maintenance, and safety, and setting up temporary tracks.
“Cherry Orchard is the main beneficiary, receiving €62,000, along with Ballymun, Finglas, Summerhill, and Darndale among others," Dublin City Councillor Daithi Doolan told Dublin Live.
“Local projects will receive the funding and implement it for these young people, they’re targeting specific people."
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