A mother has described how her teenage son was robbed at knifepoint on a Perth bus for his snacks, saying she was not surprised by the recent bashing of a 13-year-old in Ellenbrook amid what she says is escalating youth crime in the city's eastern suburbs.
The mother, WAtoday journalist Rebecca Peppiatt, wrote in an opinion piece that her 16-year-old son was on a Transperth bus home from school earlier this year when two boys put a knife to his throat and demanded his snacks. They told him, “Hand over your snacks.” He handed them over and said nothing. Peppiatt said she reported the incident to police, who were “fantastic” and wanted to investigate, but her son was too scared to give a statement, fearing the perpetrators would find him. The case was closed.
The attack came weeks after his electric bike was stolen and months after a gold chain was ripped from his neck as he walked through Midland Gate Shopping Centre. Peppiatt said her son now relies on her for lifts, is too scared to shop alone and would not contemplate going out after dark. She described him as a quiet, non-confrontational boy who stands at what should be an intimidating six feet two, but is apparently a sitting duck.
The article comes after footage emerged of a 13-year-old boy being set upon by a group of teenagers in Ellenbrook last weekend. Six teenagers alleged to have taken part in the assault have been arrested, charged and denied bail. Peppiatt said that while she welcomed the arrests, she questioned whether other victims received the same response, or whether justice depended on public outcry.
She said violence, abuse and theft are so common in her area that teenagers share stories with a shrug. Her son refuses to wear expensive trainers he saved for outside the house unless he knows he will be with an adult and will not be using public transport or going to a shopping centre.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Youth crime in Perth's eastern suburbs is prompting fear among teenagers and parents, affecting daily activities like catching buses or going to shopping centres.
- The case raises questions about whether police and courts respond proportionally to incidents that generate public outrage versus those that do not.
- Community frustration may increase if preventative measures are not introduced to address the root causes.
Background
Rebecca Peppiatt's son was robbed at knifepoint on a Transperth bus earlier this year. The incident occurred in the same region as a recent high-profile attack in Ellenbrook, where a 13-year-old boy was assaulted by a group of teenagers. Six teenagers have been arrested, charged and denied bail over that assault, which sparked widespread concern.
Key Perspectives
Rebecca Peppiatt: Says youth violence is escalating in Perth's eastern suburbs, with her son and his friends regularly experiencing theft and assault. She argues that every incident should be treated as a major issue requiring preventative measures, and that justice should not depend on public outcry or viral footage.
What to Watch
- Whether further arrests or charges follow in the Ellenbrook attack and similar incidents.
- Any response from WA Police or the state government regarding youth crime prevention in the area.
- Community pressure for increased patrols or youth programs in Midland and Ellenbrook.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedRebecca Peppiatt says her son was robbed at knifepoint on a Perth bus.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “In the space of a few months earlier this year, he was robbed on a public bus at knifepoint”
- SupportedPeppiatt warns of escalating youth crime in Perth’s eastern suburbs.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “I’ve experienced first-hand the escalating teenage violence that plagues the streets”
- SupportedPeppiatt was not surprised by footage of the attack on a 13-year-old in Ellenbrook last weekend.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Footage of a 13-year-old boy being set upon by a group of teenagers in Ellenbrook last weekend makes for confronting viewing, but as a mother living in Perth’s east that was not my first thought. Instead, my initial reaction was far darker: I wasn’t at all surprised.”
- SupportedSix teenagers alleged to have taken part in the Ellenbrook assault were arrested, charged and denied bail.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “the six teenagers alleged to have taken part in the assault of the 13-year-old Ellenbrook boy have been arrested, charged, and denied bail”
- SupportedPeppiatt is a WAtoday journalist and the mother of the boy.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Rebecca Peppiatt is a journalist with WAtoday, specialising in crime and courts.”
- SupportedHer 16-year-old son was travelling home from school on a Transperth bus when two boys put a knife to his throat and demanded his snacks.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “He was riding a Transperth bus home from school and had bought a bag of chips and a drink that were sat on his lap. Two boys came up behind him and put a knife to his throat and told him: “Hand over your snacks.””
- SupportedThe boys said, “Hand over your snacks.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Two boys came up behind him and put a knife to his throat and told him: “Hand over your snacks.””
- SupportedPeppiatt said police were “fantastic” and wanted to investigate, but her son was too scared to give a statement because he feared the boys would find and hunt him down; police closed the case.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “They were fantastic and responded with sincere concern, wanting to investigate further and take a statement from my son, but he was too scared to speak up. He thought they’d find out and hunt him down”
- SupportedThe bus robbery took place weeks after his electric bike was stolen and months after his chain was ripped off at Midland Gate Shopping Centre.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “That incident took place just weeks after his bike was stolen and a few months after he’d been walking through the shopping centre and had his chain ripped off his neck.”
- SupportedAfter these incidents, her son relied on her for lifts, was too scared to shop alone and would not go out after dark.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “he now relies on me for lifts, is too scared to shop alone, and would never entertain the idea of going out after dark.”
- SupportedPeppiatt says violence, abuse and theft are common where they live, and her son’s friends share stories of being robbed, assaulted or abused with a shrug.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Violence, abuse and theft is so common where we live”
- SupportedHer son refuses to wear his expensive trainers outside unless he will be with an adult and will not use public transport or go to a shopping centre.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “He refuses to wear them outside the house unless he knows he’s going to be with an adult and not going on public transport or to a shopping centre.”