Cranbourne girl bashed at notorious bus stop dubbed ‘most dangerous’ in the area
A vicious attack on a young girl by a gang of up to 12 youths was the latest in a string of violent incidents at one bus stop near Cranbourne Park shopping centre, with the victim’s mother so shocked she has now started a petition.
South East
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A young teenager waiting for a bus was punched in the back of the head by a gang of older girls who tried to steal her phone and jacket.
The 13-year-old was waiting at what locals call “Cranbourne’s most dangerous bus stop” when about 12 youths attacked her.
Her mother April Pearce told the Leader her daughter was traumatised by the incident which happened on Lyall St about 3.30pm yesterday.
“They asked my daughter if she had a problem with them and while they were doing that another one punched her in the back of the head and continued to push her,” Ms Pearce said.
“They tried to roll her by stealing her phone and Kathmandu jacket.”
Ms Pearce said her daughter managed to get away, running across the road to Cranbourne Park shopping centre, where she spotted her brother.
“My son then saw them attacking another girl at the bus stop and he ran over with his friends to defend her,” she said.
“In the middle of all this, my daughter was attacked again by the group of girls and then they turned on my son.”
She said her son tried to barricade his sister with his friends, but the girls, described as of African appearance, managed to push through and lay punches.
“These girls violently assaulted four people yesterday including my daughter and enough is enough,” she said.
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Ms Pearce, who has reported the incident to Cranbourne police, said her daughter was traumatised and sustained injuries to the back of her head.
“She’s in so much pain and feels dizzy and disorientated,” she said.
“She’s too terrified to go back to school.
“Four of the girls have been taunting my daughter for the past two years. They don’t attend her school but they told her — ‘we don’t have a reason to hate you we just hate you’.”
Ms Pearce said there had been at least 20 vicious attacks in the past two weeks at or near the bus stop.
“I’ve started a change.org petition so the council can install CCTV cameras around the area as it has become a hotspot for violent assaults and bullying — it just needs to stop.”
Casey Council safer communities manager Caroline Bell said the council was currently reviewing CCTV in the municipality.
“We’re in the process of developing a policy management plan on the use and placement of CCTV cameras in public spaces. Lyall St in Cranbourne and surrounds will be considered as part of this process,” Ms Bell said.
“In the interim, Victoria Police and the council will conduct a safety audit in Lyall St, Cranbourne near the bus interchange.”
Ms Bell said the council was not made aware of the alleged incidents over the past two weeks, and urged residents to always report incidents to Victoria Police.
She said the council met with police regularly to undertake safety audits across a range of public spaces in Casey.
Casey Local Area Commander Inspector Donald Brown said Cranbourne police had received a report of an assault and attempted robbery at Lyall St, Cranbourne.
“A number of witnesses have been identified and provided statements. Investigations are ongoing into this matter,” Insp Brown said.
“During this investigation, police also received further reports of public order issues at this location which Cranbourne police are investigating.”
Insp Brown said police had increased patrols in the area and would continue to task their resources to where they’re needed most.