Brick attack on MP who told off bike yobs
AN MP was smashed in the face with a brick by two yobs on motorbikes, it emerged yesterday.
Labour veteran Steve McCabe, 61, was also hit on the side of the head with a stone after confronting the thugs who were doing wheelies in the road.
As he nursed his injuries last night, the MP urged the public to help identify the helmeted attackers who were both photographed.
The MP was pelted in his Birmingham Selly Oak constituency, which has been deluged by complaints about the “menace” of similar anti-social behaviour.
Misery
Mr McCabe, who has been an MP for 20 years, stood up to the thugs as he was out on party business.
He said: “I was out with a few Labour volunteers doing a spot of door-knocking.
“A couple of characters started doing wheelies in the road so I shouted at them to pack it in.”
That was when the two thugs decide to attack.
After Monday evening’s incident the MP wrote on Twitter: “Tonight nursing a very sore and swollen face. I was struck with a brick by a motorbike thug. Have given a full statement to police.”
The MP, who said his injuries “could have been an awful lot worse”, revealed that bike louts were increasingly making the lives of his constituents a misery.
He added: “These are really quite nasty, violent thugs. Somebody clearly knows who they are – the problem is that people are terrified of these thugs.
“It is a big issue – they are terrorising neighbourhoods. I don’t think there is a direct connection in that they knew who I was – that’s just the way they treat anybody who dares to challenge their behaviour.”
One of Mr McCabe’s attackers was riding an orange and white bike, the other a yellow and white one. Both wore pale grey tracksuit-type outfits.
Asking for names and addresses to be sent to him anonymously, the MP added: “Surely somebody recognises these two.”
MPs from all parties sent him messages of support.
Labour’s shadow education secretary Angela Rayner called the attack “shocking” while Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson said it was “horrific”.
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat said: “I wish you a speedy recovery and that the police catch these thugs.”
West Midlands Police have appealed for witnesses.