Rowdy youngsters are making the Hibiscus Coast bus station in Silverdale a dangerous place for commuters.

The local bus station made headlines again after a boy was assaulted there by a group of youths over the long weekend. 

It is believed that a boy, armed with a knife, was travelling from Albany to Silverdale with a group of girls. 

An eyewitness said these girls beat up another commuter, a boy, ‘pretty badly’ at the bus station. 

This attack comes after a petite 14-year-old girl was left traumatised after another girl threatened to ‘get her on the ground and stomp her head into the footpath’ if she didn’t hand over her expensive sneakers.

A community Facebook group ignited early in the week after the attack on the boy. 

A mum commented that her son was assaulted at the bus station about a year ago by youths wielding knives, as they tried to steal his phone. 

Her son hasn’t used a bus since the incident. 

One man commented, “The bus station has become a popular recreation centre for youngsters during school holidays as they drink alcohol and vape there. Parents and guardians need to be aware of what their children are doing.”

The Hibiscus Coast App reached out the Auckland Transport, who said that staff are working closely with the police in all these cases.

“The Hibiscus Coast bus station is designed in such a way to help deter criminal behaviour,” says Blake Crayton-Brown, Media Manager of Strategic Communications at Auckland Transport. 

“There are good sight lines, lighting, CCTV and help points which usually makes the potential criminal activity less likely. If an incident occurs, then images are saved for the police.” 

The images come in handy if an incident occurs involving a school-going child as school uniforms are recognised, and then further attempts are taken by AT to get school principals involved in follow-up action.

But this hasn’t deterred youths as they continue to assault, threaten and sometimes swear at other commuters, and bus drivers.

Even though there is extensive CCTV coverage, Tasha Gummer, Manager at the Silverdale Business Association wants additional surveillance cameras installed and the lighting in the area to be improved. 

“This will act as a deterrent and provide valuable evidence for investigations if incidents occur.”

Tasha says, “We stand firmly against any form of violence and criminal activity in the area and are committed to working with local authorities and community groups to address this issue.” 

The business association says the community deserves to feel safe and secure, and the recent assaults on youths are unacceptable. 

Kirsty Guy, whose 14-year-old daughter narrowly escaped the beating (and prevented her sneakers from being stolen), says Auckland Transport needs to hire security staff at the bus station to prevent these kinds of attacks. 

Blake says the bus station is monitored and can detect known offenders in the area. 

If there are spotted, then security is alerted and they respond.

“Live public announcements can be made at the bus station too,” says Blake. “People’s behaviour usually changes once perpetrators know that someone is watching them.”

AT has transport officers across the city who can be deployed quickly to any location to deter fare evasion and other anti-social behaviour. 

“The safety of all our services and locations is always our top priority.”

The business association supports initiatives such as increasing the presence of security personnel or police officers near the bus station during peak times when the risk of assaults may be higher. 

She says, “Young people must not walk alone and must be aware of their surroundings.” 

Those who commented on social media and the Hibiscus Coast App say that education is the key to preventing such incidents from occurring. 

Parents have to speak to their children, telling them it is not okay to beat other children up.

Kirsty’s daughter’s instigator was identified and the parents were informed. 

“I’m in contact with the case officer and was told that the girl and her parents were supposed to appear at the police station, but they never pitched up.”

A mum on the Facebook group says, “Kids imitate their parents. I’m pretty sure kids who end up doing this sort of stuff aren’t coming from kind, compassionate or stables homes.”