Sorry if someone has already posted this but I only just come across it I wonder who they will blame for this Police were called to two incidents in Southport Mall on Tuesday. Pic: Mike Batterham Source: News Limited SOUTHPORT locals and business owners say they are being held to ransom by a gang of street kids terrorising busy Nerang Street every day. The ongoing distress erupted again yesterday when the group picked a fight with a group of young schoolgirls from Keebra Park State High School who were merely passing through the thoroughfare just before 4pm. YESTERDAY: VIOLENT TEEN BRAWL ENDS IN KING HIT Gold Coast Tattoos owner Ben Braniff said he went to rescue the girls, aged about 15, when he saw the fight start and pulled them into his store. “We grabbed them off them and rescued the girls and put them inside the shop, as we’ve got a bit of power to protect them,” Mr Braniff said. Police attend one of two incidents in Southport on Tuesday. Pic: Mike Batterham Source: News Limited Police were called to the incident but the alleged attacker and one of the victims took off. Shortly after the fight, police were called to the area again after reports of a disturbance between juveniles at a taxi rank in the same street. A young man was being held in custody over the incident after allegedly punching another man in the face. A police spokesman said the victim sustained minor injuries and no medical assistance was needed. The group of teens regularly loiters outside the popular X-Zone internet cafe all day and owner Lachlan Ward said he has had enough of the behaviour and its effects. He said business had dropped about 35 per cent because of increased safety concerns among customers and passing locals. “The police aren’t as on the ball as they should be,” Mr Ward said. “We’ve got to do everything ourselves. It’s a never-ending, vicious circle.” Concerned business owner Lachlan Ward of X-Zone internet cafe. Pic: Mike Batterham Source: News Limited Mr Ward said the troublemakers had been banned from his business but still used the street as a meeting place and to hang out. The drama escalated each afternoon when schoolchildren got off buses at nearby stops and passed through the area. Mr Braniff said his tattoo studio was already having a hard enough time with the State Government’s new bikie association laws and did not need kids giving his business a bad name. “They’re here every day running amok, threatening people, kicking cars,” Mr Braniff said. “Southport is being held ransom by 20 street kids and the cops aren’t doing anything about it — or can’t do anything about it. “They’re ruining business. We’re copping it enough as it is. “We just don’t need the bad publicity.” Southport police were not available to comment on business owners’ concerns last night.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 08:56:12 +0000
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