Yahoo News Brutal gang attack on Exmouth teen unites parents in anger
Exmouth parents and residents are collectively uniting in a desperate bid to try and put an end to the escalating anti-social behaviour of youths who are claimed to be terrorising the town and making people fearful of going out. Widespread shock and horror was sparked this week after a 14-year-old schoolboy was set upon in broad daylight in The Strand by a large group of youths.
On Tuesday, June 11, the boy was repeatedly hit by several people before being chased onto a main road by around 13 teenagers, according to witnesses. Thanks to the intervention of passersby, he was helped into a taxi and taken to hospital. He was later released after his injuries - which included a black, vast bruising to his body, including his ribs, and cuts - were checked over.
His distraught mum Jenna Savage has bravely spoken out about the incident in a bid to put a stop to what she describes as a brutal and unjustified attack.
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Jenna, who asked for her son not to be named, said: "It is not the first incident he has been involved with among this particular group. On Tuesday he was out with a couple of friends and saw some kids he has had ongoing issues with.
"On this occasion, they started goading him, it escalated and he retaliated by defending himself which triggered mob mentality of youths aged between 12 and 17 years old. There were at least three that were grabbing at his t-shirt, pulling him, slapping him in the face and pushing him.
"My son was grabbed around the neck and hit one of them and then multiple children got involved. He was chased across the road by the cinema and luckily the cars stopped and a passerby got him into a taxi. It was over fairly quickly thanks to those who stepped in.
"A taxi driver from AJ's Taxis took him to hospital and I was called by the hospital to say he had 'been jumped'. My son had not wanted to ring me because he knew I would be putting his three-year-old sister to bed.
"One of the drivers from AJ's Taxis also came to our house to say what had happened which was really nice of them. I have seen footage of the incident since and it is so brutal.
"There's no way to justify the brutality of what happened to him."
Jenna posted details about the incident on community Facebook page Exmouth Community UK after the incident to obtain video evidence. She says she was shocked by how many other parents messaged her to share stories of how their children had also been targeted in the town.
She said: "I wrote the post out of outrage. I was so angry. I was then inundated with messages from parents whose children have been terrorised by some of these kids. It was horrific what my son went through but it is nothing in comparison to the bigger problem and what other children have been through.
"People have been afraid to speak out because they don't want their kids to be victimised. There are so many really, really heartbreaking stories."
Jenna says that since the incident she has seen a death threat against her son posted on a social media group chat which she has shared with police, and on the night of the attack they had three teenagers stood outside their home shouting abuse.
Jenna said: "My son is handling it really well and he knows he will be a target because I have been outspoken about it, but he was a target already. I want to show my son there is a different way to deal with this.
"Exmouth has a problem so together with other parents we are collating all the information we have to present to the police and crime commissioner, the town mayor and Exmouth Community College. Residents want to feel safe in their town and feel that their children are safe.
"Youths are committing crimes in the town such as burglaries, fires, assaults and criminal damage and people are really sick of it but they don't know what to do. There's strength in numbers and people in authority have to listen if there is a lot of you.
"The problem has been going on for a long time. Children are running riot and it has escalated. There is a massive problem with police resources and they are overrun with this anti-social behaviour."
It has inspired Jenna to set up a private Facebook group called Keep Our Kids Safe Exmouth for members to collectively stand against the anti-social behaviour blighting the town. It already has more than 350 members.
Jenna, who lives on the outskirts of Littleham and owns Ottery Valley Funerals with her husband, has lived in the town on and off for the past 16 years and says that despite its current problems, it has a great community spirit.
She said: "I love living in Exmouth. Until I had teenagers myself I didn't realise we had such a problem so I didn't fear letting him out. The community reaction I have had since the attack on my son has been amazing. So many people have offered us help, support and best wishes.
"It's a good community but they are all just a little frightened. At the moment my son is recovering at home and he will be watched quite closely. Until something is done in the town, children are at risk."
"I want to show him there are a lot more good people out there than there are bad and that his community will stand up for him and other children who are being victimised. If we adults can't do that then what hope is there for the kids?"
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 6.30pm on Tuesday, June 11, following reports of a boy being attacked by a group of youths at The Strand, Exmouth. The victim was taken to hospital where he was treated for injuries.
"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. Anybody who witnessed the attack is asked to contact police online or via 101 quoting crime reference 50240142924
"Our neighbourhood policing team continues to work within the community and as a force we will thoroughly investigate all incidents of violent crime that are reported to us."
