Reporting DS getting mugged versus risking retribution

[sergeantmajor]

14 yo DS was recently mugged along by older teenagers. The police have good leads to go on and are reasonably confident of a conviction. But now DS is scared to make a formal statement. He says the muggers or their friends would recognise him and would come after him and stab him. I don't know if the perpetrators have ever carried knives or are just 'beginner' muggers. Even if the police protect his name in a court case, they would know which victim the conviction relates to (in terms of recognising his face). I strongly believe in reporting crime, as in previous situations other people haven't pressed charges, leading these youths to do it again. But DS is really scared and to be honest I realise he could be at risk, at least theoretically. It's all very well me being principled and brave, but I don't want to do so with my son terrified and possibly at risk of serious harm.
WWYD?

It would depend on area for me... city where ds is unlikely to know or run into said boys again I would report. Tiny town where everyone knows everyone I might be tempted to err on the side of caution. Not brave but equally heroics can be overrated.

Tell the police the truth. It’s highky likely they will understand. If the gang are truly a risk to your son they would never try to really push him to make a statement.

And honestly these boys will likely be brought into the system soon enough. It will go on their record that they were a suspect

If there is a risk they'd recognise him and want some sort of revenge on him, I wouldn't go ahead with it. Even if they never get him, the fear will bother him a lot.

In theory we should all report crime and make sure people get punished. In real life it's not that simple.

I'm surprised the police haven't talked to you about witness protection (moving).

It is our local neighbourhood, it is likely that his name will get out, kids talk. The police says the lead perpetrator is from a good family, not a scary gang or 'mafia', but who knows what hotheaded kids will do. The police say that we're not obliged to do anything, but of course they want the conviction - as do I - but I definitely don't want any harm to come to my boy. I feel out of my depth - it's my job to protect my son, and also to raise him to do the right thing and I don't feel able to assess the threat here.

Witness protection for a mugging? You're dreaming

Your son will have better protection if those eventually charged have conditions placed on them before any trial ( not to contact directly or indirectly, etc). Any hint of issues afterwards regardless of any court decision you go back to the police. Without following it through you run the risk of constantly being afraid of the group.

Tell the police the truth tell them DS is scared they can make steps to protect him.

Couldn't be busy so going out on his own? If you love in such a dodgy neighbourhood it would be a good idea anyway.

I would always say report - as this happened to my son several years ago. In face a knife was pulled.

However, when we got to court, they made a mistake and my son came face to face with the accused. My son pulled out at that point. I would have liked him to go through with it, but he just couldn’t and I had to respect his decision.

I genuinely believe that reporting it is the right thing to do, but fully appreciate that it is a more complicated situation especially in a close knit community.

Most importantly, I hope that you and your son are ok - it’s a horrible thing to happen.

with the police already involved (by the sound of it) it's too late not to give a statement anyway.
but do be sensible, maybe ask police/victim support what you can do to protect ds.
poor baby, how frightening for him.

Who's to say they won't harm or stab him anyway? He did nothing to warrant the mugging, so he won't need to do anything if they decide to harm him again. And then they might be more confident of doing it because they know he won't report it. I would report and move house.

Its terrible that you'd have to move house to avoid awful people, but it's better to move to a nicer area than have him living in fear and possibly be attacked. Even if you don't report, you should consider moving, this is no life for him :(

Op doesn't need to move house!

@autumnleaf1 yeah,because everyone can move house on a whim. Not just that but to a nicer area too.

@sergeantmajor I'd go with what your son wants. It'll be him giving the statement,him being in court,him navigating the streets before and after court ,him dealing with the aftermath and anxiety of it all. And if I'm completely honest, the odds of a "worth it" sentence are pretty much inexistent.

The police says the lead perpetrator is from a good family, not a scary gang or 'mafia

This is important. The police have a huge amount of information on gang activity nowadays. They know who all the leaders are, who’s involved etc. You would be surprised at how much they know! If they felt your son was at risk of retribution, they would tell you and they would also help with safety planning.

It is hugely daunting for your son, and for you. It’s a horrible situation to be in. But the police are basically saying to you, that once this main boy is dealt with, your son will be ok. He (and his friends) will be more at risk if these muggers continue to roam free. There will be conditions of no contact, directly or indirectly, so if your son continues this and receives any threats or intimidation, it should be reported straight to the police.

I think if it were my child, I would also be scared. I can’t say I wouldn’t be. But I think equally I would want to show him that the law is here to protect us and it’s not ok to let people go around intimidating others and taking their belongings.

Witness protection!? I know this place is out of touch and even deluded at times but that is one of the most OTT things I have ever read on here. Do you honestly think that the police would put OP's son and OP's family in witness protection because someone stole something from him!?

Mission, too many tv dramas, methinks.

I am not thinking in terms of witness protection or moving house. It's a normally peaceful neighbourhood but increasingly youths from other areas are seeing it as an easy target and there have been some threats with knives, even if no actual knife attacks. DS is at any age where he is just starting to spread his wings, going up to shops and cafes with his friends in daylight. He still does so since the mugging, but now he says he sprints all the way home afterwards. It breaks my heart that he is so scared, but most importantly I don't want to put him at further risk. Some of the points made here are really helpful. If there is extra protection that can be had from making a police statement, that is worth considering.

At his age he would give evidence by video or pre recorded interview, you can also request that this isn't seen by the perpetrators. I do understand his fears and the best person to speak to is the investigating officer. He won't get a witness protection move that's for very high risk cases only. He is entitled to victim support and that will be important to him.