Teen violence at Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour and Grafton skateparks

Several brutal attacks have been reported over the school holidays but some say parents are using them as daycare. See what’s happening and what police had to say.

For generations, skateparks have been a hangout space for people of all ages to come together to share a common love, but over the past two weeks, there have been reports of brutal attacks, theft, arson and racial abuse.

Emma Anhy Roberts’ ten-year-old son came home from the Woolgoolga skatepark having been “ganged up” on and assaulted by ten kids.

“They took his scooter then poured a milkshake all over him,” Ms Roberts said.

The kids filmed the brutal attack.

“It made me so angry and upset. I’ve cried so many times thinking someone could hurt an innocent, defenceless ten year old,” she said.

“They punched him over a railing and left him there lying on the ground,” she said.

Ms Roberts said her son is scared to ever go back.

“He’s had nightmares and doesn’t feel like leaving the house now. How’s it fair a ten-year-old should feel like that?” she said.

With the skatepark just a block away from the Woolgoolga Police Station, Ms Roberts believes more action should be taken to prevent this. She says she reported it to police and that a caution would be issued.

“A caution isn't enough, they’ll keep doing it and keep getting away with it,” she said.

Some parents believe cameras should be installed, as well as more police presence to deter criminal behaviour, while others have even offered taking shifts supervising the parks.

“Does it take someone to die before they pull their finger out and say enough is enough?” Ms Roberts said.

Dearne Stanley and her partner Garth Stanley said they wouldn't let their two sons James and Jason go to a skatepark alone, following the brutal attacks. Picture: Matt Gazy

Dearne Stanley, 39, and her husband Garth said they wouldn’t leave their kids alone at skateparks following the scary attacks.

“I wouldn’t let them here by themselves. But even with parents here, I don’t know if it would help,” Ms Stanley said.

Ms Stanley - like many parents with young kids - is concerned police aren’t taking action and may turn a blind eye.

“We’re trying to teach our kids to use initiative and not be scared but it’s concerning for sure,” she said.

She said the attacks were scary to hear as a parent with kids aged 10 and 12.

“It’s getting hard to trust humanity. Attacks like this can scar kids,” Ms Stanley said.

Michael Dawe, 40, from Sandy Beach has been skating since he could walk and said parents are treating skateparks as a “daycare”.

“They drop their kids off here and expect them to be looked after,” Mr Dawe said.

He said skatepark etiquette is important to learn at a young age, but wouldn’t leave his children unsupervised.

Michael Dawe from Sandy Beach said parents treat skateparks like a "day care". Picture: Matt Gazy

Fynn Robins, 19 and Isaac Fowler, 18, grew up in Woolgoolga and have been coming to the skatepark all their lives, but believe the issue is getting worse.

“Kids are getting harder to deal with, they’re more prone to picking on little kids and the parents don't care,” Mr Robins said.

Mr Robins said he thinks it stems from poor parenting, either due to “upbringing” or neglect.

“The kids can’t deal with drama at school so they take it out here,” he said.

Mr Fowler said it's the parent's responsibility to ensure their kids aren’t causing trouble.

“There’s rarely parents around, they just drop them off and leave for the whole day,” Mr Fowler said.

Fynn Robins and Isaac Fowler said parents “don’t care” what their kids get up to when they leave them at skate parks. Picture: Matt Gazy

Local Police said they are “working with the school community and will be speaking with students through presentations, which are planned for next term”.

The sessions will focus on appropriate behaviour and to encourage respect for peers and the elderly.

Another key message will be the potential consequences of poor choices – as many parents claim these kids should be prosecuted.

Police are encouraging incidents like these to be reported.