N1 City Road Basin teen gang harassing cyclists

Has anyone else been harassed by a group of teens on the canal towpath along City Road Basin?

They're on bikes and stop you going past, swearing, being intimidating. I've been stopped 2 nights in a row.

Would be useful to know if anyone else has encountered them and/or done anything about it.

Kids (of successive generations) have done this for as long as I can remember. The best thing is usually not to acknowledge them and to seek a way past that doesn't make physical contact. They usually mean no harm.

The local Safer Neighbourhood Team will be aware of the issue. While I don't like penalising kids for being kids, it technically counts as 'anti-social behaviour', and as most SNTs tend to have this as a priority for action, they may be able to do something about it. The best action is usually to give kids somewhere to go and something to do rather than punitive action.

If you still worry, take to the streets around there. Not as quick and direct as the towpath, but various projects by the Canal and River Trust working with local boroughs are underway to improve other connections in the area. After dark, it is generally advisable to stick to main streets.