Posting in chat for traffic. Name changed for obvious reasons.
DS 15, at local comp. Decent school with a few bad eggs. He's had problems with a kid on and off, who is the younger brother of a boy who we know is caught up on gang culture. This kid has taken his lunch money a couple of times and tried to get DS to steal things for him etc but so far DS has managed to avoid getting involved.
Today this kid has told DS that if he doesn't give him £150 he will stab him. DS says this boy is a loose canon with something to prove so his threat is not to be completely disregarded. He told DS that if he paid up, that would be the end of it all.
Of course DS wants to pay but I think this will make him an easy (and lucrative) target and the demands will continue.
But obviously I want to keep him safe.
Talking to school is pointless. They can't keep DS safe outside of school and from what in understand regarding this boys family and acquaintances, the school would be completely out of their depth. Police involvement would instantly mark DS out as a grass to some very nasty people which is also a danger.
have worked with kids like this before so I understand the dangers and also, sadly, the ineffectiveness of police in this kind of situation.
DS is now crying and frightened and I am also worried. I don't care about the money and if I thought that would be the end of it, I'd give it to DS in a heartbeat, but I'm not sure it would be the end of it. I think there is a chance this boy would tell others where he got the money and DS would have more people trying it on.
I haven't told DH yet as he would definitely tell DS not to pay a penny and stand up toto this boy, but I am worried that this makes DS vulnerable and DS doesn't really get how this could escalate.
I want to punch the little shit and don't know what to do.
Any advice?