TikTok heartbeat game linked to crime wave in Dorset

Teenage gangs have been violently banging on front doors, leaving elderly residents terrified in their own homes, after the heartbeat challenge went viral and spread to the county.

Undercover police have even been deployed on the streets of Poundbury as criminal damage was reported to have been caused.

What is the TikTok heartbeat challenge?

Also known as the 'I Hear Your Heartbeat Door Challenge', the game appears to have started off as a good-natured prank. 

It involves participants filming each other approaching front doors and banging as loud as they can with their hands and feet to the beat of pop singer Kesha's 2012 hit 'Die Young.'

There has been a rise in anti-social behaviour in locations around a north Dorset town Picture: North Dorset Police

As she sings, 'I hear your heart beat to the beat of the drums,' players bang as hard as they can on the door before running off. 

• Read more: Yobs behind SHOCKING TikTok trend slammed - as elderly victims left terrified 

The concept is similar to games that have been played for generations, such as 'knock knock ginger' and 'knock and run,' albeit with a Gen Z twist.

Undercover police have been deployed in a Dorset neighbourhood as concerns grow over the heartbeat game

So far the 'I Hear Your Heartbeat Door Challenge' hashtag has had 5.3 million views on TikTok since it first emerged in early October 2021. 

Later that month police began to investigate reports of damage being inflicted to front doors of homes.

Worrying trend

While the majority of players appear to be focussing their efforts on in dormitories and school hallways, other users of the video sharing platform have taken things a step too far.

Police forces around the UK have attended alleged criminal damage incidents and front doors being kicked through.

It comes after many of the UK's most vulnerable people have spent months indoors during lockdown, and may be feeling more isolated than than in pre-pandemic times.

The situation in Dorset

Over the weekend police in the county stepped up patrols, and parents are being urged to help tackle the problem.

Poundbury councillor Susie Hosford said she was first told about the distressing actions five weeks ago.

She said: "A few elderly residents in Poundbury have come forward and they're very upset.

• Read more: Weymouth property damaged during anti-social behaviour spree

"I was first informed by a resident about this behaviour more than five weeks ago, and it seems to have snowballed and spiralled from there. I'm aware it started with a row of houses next to the Great Field and it's spread from there."

• Have you been affected? email ellie.maslin@dorsetecho.co.uk