Feral youth - What are you supposed to do?
Discussion
I am just reflecting on something that happened yesterday.
Walking back from the shops at about 9pm with mother, brother and 4 month old jack Russell 'Snoop'. We pass a crowd of 10+ 14-15 year olds, both boys and girls loitering outside a shop.
Girls start screaming at the dog he goes by, dog gets spooked, we tell them to be quiet, one boy then decides to stamp down on the pavement no more than two inches away from my pup's head, a full on verble confrontation begins which then leads the boy punches me twice, attempts to throw a lotto sign at me and the girls have hit my mother (who was on release from hospital that day with serious neurological issues/fluid swelling on brain...) twice with a school bag on the head.
After my mother was hit I saw red but I had to use every iota of self restraint not to completely lose it despite us being attacked first because I am the adult of the situation, but It seemed wrong at I had to put my future and job ahead of protecting my family, regardless of age/gender of the offender.
For those who would "call the police" they were called but the response time was so patheic by the time blues and twos could be heard we were already at home and have no interest in speaking with them.
I was honestly wondering what other people would do in this sort of situation? Run? Stand your ground? Fight back?
Walking back from the shops at about 9pm with mother, brother and 4 month old jack Russell 'Snoop'. We pass a crowd of 10+ 14-15 year olds, both boys and girls loitering outside a shop.
Girls start screaming at the dog he goes by, dog gets spooked, we tell them to be quiet, one boy then decides to stamp down on the pavement no more than two inches away from my pup's head, a full on verble confrontation begins which then leads the boy punches me twice, attempts to throw a lotto sign at me and the girls have hit my mother (who was on release from hospital that day with serious neurological issues/fluid swelling on brain...) twice with a school bag on the head.
After my mother was hit I saw red but I had to use every iota of self restraint not to completely lose it despite us being attacked first because I am the adult of the situation, but It seemed wrong at I had to put my future and job ahead of protecting my family, regardless of age/gender of the offender.
For those who would "call the police" they were called but the response time was so patheic by the time blues and twos could be heard we were already at home and have no interest in speaking with them.
I was honestly wondering what other people would do in this sort of situation? Run? Stand your ground? Fight back?
Edited by 279 on Tuesday 7th July 13:51
Really sorry to hear about this experience, must have been traumatic particularly for your mother and what a sad situation to find yourself in. I don't think anyone can say "you should have...." everyone would react slightly differently. It sounds to me like you were very clearly outnumbered by the low lifes and so i'm not sure what good - other than you all getting a kicking, escalating it would have done. Definitely communicate it with the police, I'm sure they weren't temporary passers by - they must be local surely? It is a shame they couldn't get there in time but better that they know some youths around there are doing this sort of thing than not.
doogz said:
Probably this.
If someone hits me, I can probably deal with it, and do what's best to get out of the situation.
Someone hit my Mother? Everyone's going home in some sort of white van with blue flashy lights on the top.
Sadly you would've been outnumbered x 3 by "almost adults" and so the white van would probably have been taking you, your mum, your brother and your dog - let's hope they didn't have a knife because unless you are some kind of ninja it would have been a long black estate methinks. I think Adenaur's post earlier probably has the outcome about right of losing the plot.....If someone hits me, I can probably deal with it, and do what's best to get out of the situation.
Someone hit my Mother? Everyone's going home in some sort of white van with blue flashy lights on the top.
doogz said:
Adenauer said:
I would have lost the plot completely and would now probably be dead.
Probably this.If someone hits me, I can probably deal with it, and do what's best to get out of the situation.
Someone hit my Mother? Everyone's going home in some sort of white van with blue flashy lights on the top.
Unfortunately I suspect with those odds it would be me going home in an ambulance.
Adenauer said:
I would have lost the plot completely and would now probably be dead.
Just to put into context, there wasn't a risk of death to anyone but the kids. It was a big group, but mainly the kids were just that, kids, they swore like adults, threatened like adults but they were kids.Even the boy that hit me was a few inches taller_and with the uniform off you couldn't tell but I could tell from the force (or rather lack of it) this wasn't a fully developed adult.
It would have been a 25 year old lying down a beating to a 15 year old boy and if I was in for a penny, the little who hit my mum would have had a few slaps too.
If I had faith in the police, CPS and justice system I would , I was waiting for him to hit me first, but even then I was thinking even in the beat case scenario, I'm still spending a night in the cells.
doogz said:
Adenauer said:
I would have lost the plot completely and would now probably be dead.
Probably this.If someone hits me, I can probably deal with it, and do what's best to get out of the situation.
Someone hit my Mother? Everyone's going home in some sort of white van with blue flashy lights on the top.
Maybe the sensible, rational thing to do is run away then enact some hollywood revenge/serial killer movie plotline where you gruesomely murder them all one by one and leave cryptic drawings on the bodies as a message to the others .
On a more practical note I would certainly contact the police. Nobody will be going to jail as a consequence but perhaps a word from some officers might steer them in a more positive direction in the future.
279 said:
Just to put into context, there wasn't a risk of death to anyone but the kids. It was a big group, but mainly the kids were just that, kids, they swore like adults, threatened like adults but they were kids.
Even the boy that hit me was a few inches taller_and with the uniform off you couldn't tell but I could tell from the force (or rather lack of it) this wasn't a fully developed adult.
It would have been a 25 year old lying down a beating to a 15 year old boy and if I was in for a penny, the little who hit my mum would have had a few slaps too.
If I had faith in the police, CPS and justice system I would , I was waiting for him to hit me first, but even then I was thinking even in the beat case scenario, I'm still spending a night in the cells.
Kids by age? There's some big "kids" at 15 these days. You would have been able to take 10 of them on with your brother and recovering mum? If you fancy your chances then I think you could have surely made a case for self defence and defence of your mum, they hit first. I'm not sure most people would have been able to show such restraint as you describe it. Something tells me if he thought you would have the upper hand he wouldn't have volunteered for a kicking in front of his mates and the girls...I'm not convinced.Even the boy that hit me was a few inches taller_and with the uniform off you couldn't tell but I could tell from the force (or rather lack of it) this wasn't a fully developed adult.
It would have been a 25 year old lying down a beating to a 15 year old boy and if I was in for a penny, the little who hit my mum would have had a few slaps too.
If I had faith in the police, CPS and justice system I would , I was waiting for him to hit me first, but even then I was thinking even in the beat case scenario, I'm still spending a night in the cells.
I still think the police ought to be aware of the incident - they may know the gang, if the guy is punching you and the girls are attacking your mum at the least they deserve a caution. The problem is there have been no consequences whatsoever of their actions and that can't be right? At the very least it would add to the statistics rather than being hidden crime.
Edited by silverous on Tuesday 7th July 14:11
Edited by silverous on Tuesday 7th July 14:11
I really don't know how the hell you kept your cool and all credit to you.
There isn't a hope in hell I wouldn't have had the red mist descend after someone attacked one of my family and I would have punched the hell out of the gobby one.
The others would have backed down. Or I'd be dead.
But my money is on them backing down once the big mouth is on the floor.
There isn't a hope in hell I wouldn't have had the red mist descend after someone attacked one of my family and I would have punched the hell out of the gobby one.
The others would have backed down. Or I'd be dead.
But my money is on them backing down once the big mouth is on the floor.
Harry Brown is an awful film but having grown up on a similar estate and watched idiots terrorising people often (the film is spot on how these places are in that regard), that film and this story hits very close to home for me.
They deserve everything I hope someone someday will eventually give them.
They deserve everything I hope someone someday will eventually give them.
I hope your mum is OK. I admire your restraint hugely OP, well done for thinking on your feet.
Maybe get yourself a fully grown Doberman and a couple of mates and re-walk the route.
See if they're as brave then.
There was no clue as to which school they attend? I'm sure their headteacher would like to know whose representing the school.
Maybe get yourself a fully grown Doberman and a couple of mates and re-walk the route.
See if they're as brave then.
There was no clue as to which school they attend? I'm sure their headteacher would like to know whose representing the school.
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