Harassed by kids in street

So the police's stance on women being threatened and intimidated in public is not to defend themselves at all. Good to know.

Christ.

It would still be classed as assault, just as throwing a glass of water in someone's face is. Don't do this OP, I'm a police officer and it's just asking for more trouble.

This kind of intimidating ASB is prevalent on my beat and I've had a right mare with a group of kids over the summer doing similar.

They can give ABC's/CPW's etc (previously ASBOS). Highly likely they will already know the lovely little tikes.

Good luck.

Glad you reported it. Would one of those personal alarms also be a good idea?

It's even not okay to just push someone who is attacking you

This isn't true. It might not be advisable to escalate in this way since they outnumber you and are probably physically stronger, but from a legs perspective you're absolutely permitted to push someone who's attacking you, and indeed to do a fair bit more

Who cares if it looks dogy or not?

We have to get over this attitude of being frightened something will look dodgy when perpetrated by a victim against an aggressor.

No wonder, the shits of society feel able to dismantle it when ordinary people are punished-or think they might be-for saying this far and no further.

Film the little fuckers, send it to the police and take it around to every local school to see if they can identify them

Get two fucking big dogs-the most aggressive you can and let them do the talking in any future incidents.

As others have said, get Farb Spray and use it.

By the way if they ask you for the time (for example) as some kids do just say you don't know; don't get your phone out or show them you have a watch.
If they pester you with random questions just say firmly but calmly I don't know or no, or I'm busy so I'm going now.

If they actually touch you call the police.

But the best thing to do and far less stress is to avoid the situation.

I've had issues on my way to Tesco with youths.

Really do not touch / hit / push them or spray them with anything as advised by some PPs!

OP, I do recommend that you change your routine & walk in a populated area for a couple of weeks or more until these kids forget about you.

If you choose not to change your routine- get a crossbody phone strap, to make it less likely they can snatch your phone if you need to call for help. You can get them cheaply on Etsy. In fact get one anyway.

If they say hello say hello back in a neutral calm way or they may get angry - but really don't get drawn into conversation.

Keep walking quickly - don't look at them unless they actually speak to you, whatever they are up to.

Try not to look judgemental in any way of their awful behaviour (not saying you do but sometimes it's hard to conceal how you feel).

Bear in mind as I'm sure you're aware some kids are all bravado but some kids carry knives.

I think filming them, unless in secret, will only escalate matters & delay your exit from the situation too.

I don’t know if all phones have something like this, but on iPhone, if you repeatedly press the lock button about 5 times (which you can do with your hand still in your pocket), it automatically calls emergency services - if threatening behaviour reaches that threshold that you feel you need to phone police.

You could carry something with you just for peace of mind, maybe something moderately heavy in a handheld bag that you could swing at the little buggers if absolutely needed.

But is it possible to avoid that route and take another one?

Happened to me over a year ago. I grabbed one of them by the neck and and shoved him hard into a bush. I also screamed a lot of obscenities and threats. I also had keys in my hand. They ran off.

I was shaking with rage.

Could you post on your local 'Nextdoor' group OP, tell everyone what happened, and say that if anyone reading it is the parent of these kids, then they need to sort them out? You could even mention that you'll be carrying Farb gel with you next time, so if anyone's kid comes home covered in red spray, they'll know what they've been up to. People have done it in our area, and at least it makes others in the area aware of what the little blighters are up to.

It is interesting that I ran into this post, as I was just talking to my friend about this just the other day. So many kids nowadays are totally out of control, they are rude and obnoxious, disrespectful, talk back, I even had some boys of that same age throw obscenities at me when I was old enough to be their mother. I am afraid that the problem is that people do not parent their kids anymore.

I would love to tell you to fight back, tell them off or something, but I am afraid that may only make things worse. I hope you do not run into them again OP. Take care.

Do you remember what they looked like? I'd make a Facbook post on a local community group with the details of the time etc it happened.

Just to say I had the same last week - kids on bikes and they were so immature, probably around 12 as well. Hassling me outside McDonald’s and then followed me clipping the back of my heels with their bikes. They were obviously really young but just unbelievably rude and over confident and aggressive. I couldn’t believe it. Maybe a 15 year old but not 12!

Having had to report criminal behaviour by 12 year olds on a number of occasions myself, I’m betting your last sentence is what the police will say.

And that makes it acceptable and less threatening how exactly? They are little shits and she shouldn’t have to put up with it.

Maybe get a throwaway dumb phone you can use to call 999 without fear of it being stolen.

Really? I thought reasonable self defence was allowed.