DS being chased and followed

[Goldenbells]

DS is 12. Lovely quiet and independent boy who goes to and from school, friends and errands on his own.

Last week he was chased by some masked youths and came home very shaken. The police were in the area later that day and we discovered that a local gang of phone snatchers were operating then, and believe the chasers were part of it. They had not been after him for a phone though but just harassing...

Today he took the local train and one of the youths was on it who then followed him between carriages and purposely followed him off. DS managed to shake him off and come home is but is in a state.

How can I help him? It makes us feel so vulnerable that he is being targeted. Would such a type be violent if given the opportunity?

Can you drop him off and pick him up? If not can you meet him at the bus/train station?

Agree with this. You don’t want to wait to find out if they’d be violent. Have you told the police your son is being chased?

What a brave and savvy boy to get himself safely away and home.
Tell the Police. Ask them for an update and discuss whether the attackers are still about. Your son will be relieved if they have been caught.

maybe the police have someone you can talk to. I would not be happy allowing my son to go on his own at the moment.

It’s been happening all over London. The main targets are 12- 13 yo boys. Same happened to my son twice. Police can’t do anything apparently.

Ur poor boy. Goodness me what is world coming to.

He is being targeted OP. Is he sure he doesn't know them from somewhere? Has he inadvertently got on the bad side of one of them for example? It could just be that he's walking alone, so easier to harass.

You should report to the police with descriptions and I would be dropping him off and picking him up. Poor kid, he must be terrified.

That's disgusting. I bet they would be trying to do something if it were 40 year old women being targeted and chased. Ignoring the issue because the victims are young is awful.

Also OP may be controversial but a friends child who does a hobby late in the evenings has started to carry ‘legal Mace’ I believe it sprays a perpetrator with red mist that is hard to wash off. It is so they can be identified down the line by the police? Not sure if this is of any assistance. I think they got it on Amazon.

I just Google it. It is called Noyzie.

No they wouldn't. They don't care about women either. I struggle to think what use the police are for anything.

Oh no💔. Is there any way you can move from the area?.

Are you having a laugh? Rape is virtually legal in this country. Grooming gangs also had free rein in a number of areas and probably still do. Sexual harassment was a daily occurrence for me by this age - no one cares about the way men treat even young girls coming out of school in school uniforms to show their age. Believe me, this youngster being male is a defence as well as making him a target.

The best option is to move out of the area. What’s keeping you there? At least escort him around as much as possible, don’t leave him alone and do educate him in personal security (all the things too many girls have to learn for themselves). Report to the police, local councillors, local MPs, even local media if you have it.

Personally I think the Dark Ages are back and of the police won’t protect us we need a vigilante army of women out on the streets.

Also let’s remember that the ACTUAL police themselves are amongst some of the rapists and murdererers so yes, we as women are truly fucked. I carry an army knife with me (legal) and wouldn’t flinch if I needed to use it.

How did things go today OP?

Poor kid. That’s terrifying for anyone at any age.