I’ve had a thread on Teenagers since Monday. Thanks to all those who replied but one poster suggested I may get more input here.
17 year old DS goes to 6th form in a quiet town. He walks from school across town to the bus station every day. It’s the only way home. Just one bus per afternoon back home.
On Monday he was jumped by a gang of about 15 teens ( not from his school ) in the town centre. One lad threw a few punches. DS ok but a bit shaken. He didn’t want me to call the police but after a few hours I rang 101 who gave it an incident number.
Yesterday DS was walking same way with a few friends. The gang were there again, this time more than 20, some on bikes
etc. They managed to get DS away from his friends and he was punched in the face, his lip was split. He came home covered in blood.
We made a second report to the police and went into the local station. The gist of it was for DS to run away or hide if he saw the gang, that if he was corned it was ok to hit in self defence. And that if he wanted to press charges assuming he could identify the ringleader to be aware that the ring leader would know who had made the allegation. DS is a confident, mature boy, over 6 feet tall and not someone who is given to tears. At this point he began to cry.
We asked the police if they could be in the area to prevent any trouble over the next few days - answer ‘maybe’
Today he has gone into school but got a lift back with a friend.
However the gang, this time about 10 of them, (but it was raining), were spotted for the third afternoon running. Although there was a police car near the bus station. Not quite the right place because the 2 events were not near there, but better than nothing.
We have suggested to DS that we pick him up, that he walks a different way but he just won’t accept any help. He seems determined to go the same way again. He’s being doing it for the last 5 years.
He isn’t speaking to us, won’t come to eat. And I want to help him.
His school are aware and have contacted the police but as it’s not on their property not much they can do.
I want to make DS aware that he should not put himself in danger. He’s not communicating with us and seems transformed. How can I help him?