Quote Originally Posted by KukriKhan
yob = backward spelling of 'boy', originally. Now used to designate Brit juvenile delinquents.

On a related note: there is some internet chatter about how these yob gangs, beyond hurling insults to passersby, will sometimes pick a weak-looking victim, knock him/her down and each member slaps/hits the victim, while 1 guy takes vid/pics with a cell-phone - presumeably to share the images later.

Any info on this trend?
It does exist unfortuantely and it is a totally new thing, in relative terms. Maybe the last few months. It is the same people we are talking about in this thread who carry out the 'happy slappy' stuff.