2nd December 2002

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Marginalisation and lack of trust in the police force do not explain the problem of joyriding in Belfast according to UU researcher Dr Sean O’Connell.

Dr O’Connell believes that present day assessments of the motives of joyriders cannot account for the popularity of car crime among young men. A more complete understanding of the problem can only come from an historical perspective.

Dr O’Connell said: “Explanations for the motives of joyriding centre upon discussions of unemployment, social exclusion and the lack of opportunities for leisure or self expression open to the young, working class males who take part in joyriding.

“Others believe the high incidence of joyriding in nationalist West Belfast to be a result of the police’s inability to win the trust of the vast majority of that community.

“All of these explanations are rooted in present day assessments of the motives of joyriders. It is my belief that a historical perspective on the practice is required if we are to piece together a better understanding of the continuing popularity of car crime among groups of young men.

“Joyriding in Belfast is by no means a new phenomenon. The problem extends back to the 1930’s when Belfast was the epicentre of joyriding in Northern Ireland. For example in 1934, 167 cars were taken without their owner’s consent. Only 24 of these cases ended in a successful prosecution.

“As is the case today, there were dedicated groups of joyriders operating in Belfast in the 1930s, who persistently stole cars over a number of years. Tough sentences did not seem to deter perpetrators however, with individuals returning to car crime even after lengthy jail terms.

“A very interesting difference is the background of joyriders. The statistics do not replicate today’s patterns, which indicate that very large numbers of joyriders are unskilled and usually unemployed. In the 1930s joyriders included young men from professional families, students and soldiers. One even appears to have been the son of an RUC man. Only a minority came from unskilled, working class households. They also hailed from all parts of the city, north, south, east and west.

“It is clear that joyriding is firmly rooted in modern society and will be difficult to eradicate. For a significant proportion of joyriders there is an addictive quality to their activities.

“The prevalence of joyriders from professional and skilled working class backgrounds during the 1930s should remind us of the attractions of fast cars to young men. Contemporary joyriders are simply the most unpopular, aggressive and anti-social members of male car culture that also embraces the many boy racers who legitimately own cars and drive dangerously.

“In many ways our car culture is contradictory. We celebrate Eddie Irvine and Formula one, play computer games such as Carmageddon and yet wonder why young men seek status and excitement through aggressive driving in either their own or stolen cars.”

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