\u2018Pretty terrifying\u2019<\/p>\n
The mother told the Herald she was walking when she noticed a group following another boy. <\/p>\n
Her phone was out of charge, and she was just minutes from heading to her car when she decided to do something. <\/p>\n
She said she followed the group and had heard them saying \u201clet\u2019s get him\u201d. <\/p>\n
She said initially they tried to laugh it off as a \u201cprank\u201d, but she had already seen them chasing him. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust seeing the child being chased and just the fact that he was outnumbered was just disgusting,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
She said she heard the boy screaming, \u201cHelp, help\u201d before the group eventually caught up to him. <\/p>\n
Bystanders were filming, but no one else intervened.<\/p>\n
A North Shore mother, standing just 5\u20191, intervened when a group of six teenage boys attacked another boy. Photo \/ Google Maps<\/p>\n
She said some of the group attacked him with \u201cshin kicks\u201d and tried to get him on to the ground. <\/p>\n
Despite the danger, she said instinct took over. <\/p>\n
She then stood between them and yelled at them to back off. <\/p>\n
\u201cI literally just went ragey feral mum, and I think it just broke the momentum a little bit, and they kind of backed down.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my brain, I was like, they\u2019ll be scared of their mum, they\u2019re not going to hit a woman … the boy was just shaking. I just felt so sorry for him. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe was very terrified,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
The mother said she took the boy to the mall for safety and eventually walked him to the bus stop, because he didn\u2019t want the police called. <\/p>\n
She said the alleged offenders were waiting outside and continued to play the incident down as a \u201cprank\u201d, claiming the boy knew them. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe boy was too scared to say that he didn\u2019t know them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The mother said he had a visible red punch mark on his face and later told her they were trying to steal his shoes. <\/p>\n
A North Shore mother jumped into action and broke up an unprovoked group attack. Photo \/ 123RF <\/p>\n
The mother was unable to report the incident to the police until she could charge her phone and get to a safe place. <\/p>\n
Police said the disorder had occurred about 25 minutes before police were contacted. <\/p>\n
A spokesperson said it appeared the group had left the area before police were contacted, and nothing untoward has been established.<\/p>\n
Police said they were not immediately aware of any further calls regarding this matter. <\/p>\n
\u2018Assaulted for entertainment\u2019<\/p>\n
The mother said there needed to be stronger public awareness and visible police presence around bus stations and key gathering points, particularly after school hours. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese boys are being targeted, filmed, humiliated and assaulted for entertainment and theft. If adults don\u2019t step in and communities don\u2019t speak up, it will continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t just stand by and watch a child get pummelled,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
She said parents needed to know this is happening so they can have conversations with their children about staying in groups and reporting incidents immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is co-ordinated, opportunistic behaviour targeting teenage boys in public spaces, often near transport hubs. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s brazen, daylight offending, and it\u2019s escalating,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n