Takapuna teen attacks: North Shore mum steps in as boys target victim

The alleged attack on the boy occurred on Auckland's North Shore, near Shore City on Lake Rd. Photo / Bayleys

A North Shore mother jumped into action and broke up an unprovoked group attack after spotting a boy being beaten in broad daylight near a retail hotspot.

The alleged incident unfolded at 4.30pm on February 19, near Shore City on Lake Rd.

The mother, who did not wish to be named, was alerted to the incident when she noticed a group of six teenagers chasing a boy.

The woman, who stands just 5’1″, said she intervened in the incident between the boys, who appeared to be between 14 and 18 years old.

Police said they received a report just before 5pm that day relating to a disorder that had occurred in Takapuna.

‘Pretty terrifying’

The mother told the Herald she was walking when she noticed a group following another boy.

Her phone was out of charge, and she was just minutes from heading to her car when she decided to do something.

She said she followed the group and had heard them saying “let’s get him”.

She said initially they tried to laugh it off as a “prank”, but she had already seen them chasing him.

“Just seeing the child being chased and just the fact that he was outnumbered was just disgusting,” she said.

She said she heard the boy screaming, “Help, help” before the group eventually caught up to him.

Bystanders were filming, but no one else intervened.

A North Shore mother, standing just 5’1, intervened when a group of six teenage boys attacked another boy. Photo / Google Maps

She said some of the group attacked him with “shin kicks” and tried to get him on to the ground.

Despite the danger, she said instinct took over.

She then stood between them and yelled at them to back off.

“I literally just went ragey feral mum, and I think it just broke the momentum a little bit, and they kind of backed down.

“In my brain, I was like, they’ll be scared of their mum, they’re not going to hit a woman ... the boy was just shaking. I just felt so sorry for him.

“He was very terrified,” she said.

The mother said she took the boy to the mall for safety and eventually walked him to the bus stop, because he didn’t want the police called.

She said the alleged offenders were waiting outside and continued to play the incident down as a “prank”, claiming the boy knew them.

“The boy was too scared to say that he didn’t know them,” she said.

The mother said he had a visible red punch mark on his face and later told her they were trying to steal his shoes.

A North Shore mother jumped into action and broke up an unprovoked group attack. Photo / 123RF

The mother was unable to report the incident to the police until she could charge her phone and get to a safe place.

Police said the disorder had occurred about 25 minutes before police were contacted.

A spokesperson said it appeared the group had left the area before police were contacted, and nothing untoward has been established.

Police said they were not immediately aware of any further calls regarding this matter.

‘Assaulted for entertainment’

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.

“These boys are being targeted, filmed, humiliated and assaulted for entertainment and theft. If adults don’t step in and communities don’t speak up, it will continue.

“You can’t just stand by and watch a child get pummelled,” she said.

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.

“This is co-ordinated, opportunistic behaviour targeting teenage boys in public spaces, often near transport hubs.

“It’s brazen, daylight offending, and it’s escalating,” she said.

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