Elderly woman attacked by group of teens in attempted bag snatch, amid youth crime spike in Casuarina

An elderly woman who was attacked in broad daylight by a group of teenagers is among the victims of a recent spate of youth crime incidents in Casuarina.

An elderly woman who was attacked in broad daylight by a group of teenagers trying to steal her handbag is among the victims of a recent spate of youth crime incidents in the Casuarina area.

Tiwi pensioner Bev Aitken, 78, had gotten off a bus and was walking home through Tiwi Park about 5pm on Monday when she realised she was being followed by three teenage girls from the same bus.

“The next thing I know, one of them attacked me from behind and pushed me over,” she said.

“Another came up on the other side of me and grabbed my handbag, and she’s pulling it off my arm while I’m hanging on like grim death.

“I screamed my head off, and a bloke came over the top of the hill and ran down … and when they saw the man running towards me they took off.

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Tiwi resident Bev Aitken, 78, was attacked in broad daylight by a group of teenagers trying to steal her handbag on Monday. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

“I couldn’t believe it. I’ve been here in Tiwi for 10 years and I’ve never heard of anything like that happening, ever.”

Ms Aitken said the incident had left her shaken, and her neck and hand had been bruised in the fall.

She said she wanted to thank the man who had come to her aid and to warn other elderly residents in the Tiwi area to be careful.

“I’m lucky that I got away because I’m strong, but if it had been someone else, (the offenders) would have gotten their purse and probably knocked them over and hurt them,” she said.

The incident has been reported to NT Police, who are investigating.

It comes as NT Police Superintendent Sean Parnell announced yesterday that police would be stepping up their presence in the Casuarina area in response to a recent spike in youth crime incidents, including assaults and robberies.

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When asked if vulnerable residents needed to pair up or travel in groups to visit the shopping centre, Supt Parnell said it wasn’t necessary “at this stage”.

“These crimes are being committed, and we’ll certainly identify who the offenders are and ensure they’re dealt with and prosecuted,” Supt Parnell said.

“You can mark my words on that.”