General News
3 July, 2025
A call to action: community outraged by youth violence
Youth violence in Horsham has escalated in recent months to a level that some children are being ferried to school at different times during the day or not going to school at all.
Youth violence in Horsham has escalated in recent months to a level that some children are being ferried to school at different times during the day or not going to school at all.
Some are experiencing sleep and eating disturbances after being confronted and abused verbally and physically.
Horsham police say it is only a small group at the centre of these incidents, but the impact on those affected is serious.
They encourage parents and members of the community to report these matters to them immediately.
Even if the offence happened in the past weeks or months, they want to know about it.
"We can only act on what we know," said Horsham Local Area Commander Inspector Christine Johnson.
"Be assured, the police are taking this matter very seriously.
"We have launched Operation Shelter 2025 and have a dedicated officer assigned to help the children impacted by these events.
"We are working with the parents and children to help them deal with the trauma of these events," she said.
Inspector Johnson said she is pleased to see parents and the media working collaboratively with the police to address the matter.
Heart-wrenching videos filmed and posted online by the offenders show children of 10 and 11 frightened, begging to be left alone.
"I want to go home," cried one, a 10-year-old, after being followed and confronted by a youth who taunts him, blocks his path, tries to take his bike away, rummages in his school bag on his back, and pushes and shoves him against the wall.
The youngster is seen trying to get away.
This incident occurred in the underpass by the silos in Horsham, but it has also been observed in May Park, one of the shopping centres, and other areas in the CBD.
Some of the children who have been targeted are now in the care of doctors and psychologists and have been prescribed medication to assist them in dealing with the trauma.
"As parents, we have been forced to have our children chemically treated to help them survive," one mother told
This is not an isolated case.
Trixie Sampson is angry, heartbroken, desperate, and sad, among other things; she now wants this stopped before it goes any further.
"To watch the video of my son being abused has created a trauma in me separate to the trauma he has experienced, and in fact, our whole family has been affected by this," she said.
"My son has ADHD and part of his independence is to ride home from school alone, but now we can't allow him to do that because he his scared, and as his mother, I am afraid for his safety, so I pick him up from school now.
"We need action and quickly, so we need the community to come together as one and be on the lookout, if you see something, call and report the incident to the police."
One mum said an 80-year-old woman intervened to help her daughter as she lay on the ground being kicked by one of these young people while demanding she hand over her sneakers.
"I am grateful to that person and thank her for stepping up to help my daughter," she said.
However, police are mindful of the public's safety and caution against approaching the offenders.
Even though this group is filmed stealing items, including clothing, over days and weeks, in the majority of the videos, they appear to be wearing the same clothing from day to day, making them quite easily identifiable.
"We need the community as a whole to come together quickly and help us," Ms Sampson said.
"My son has been impacted by his experience, and it has changed our lives as a family, as it has with many others."
Ms Sampson said she urges parents to talk to their children about this.
"Do you know where your children are?" she said.
"Have they been approached by this group. Talk to your children about this."
Another mother has laid charges against those identified as attacking her daughter; now her daughter is receiving threats towards herself and her family.
She only goes to school in two-hour increments because the perpetrators walk the school boundaries chanting her name, waiting for her to come out of school.
"They tell her to join them so she has protection, or if I don't drop the charges she's in for 'round two'," she said.
"The children targeted are not from any specific school, group, or background."
Inspector Caroline Johnson said she encouraged people to report these incidents to the police.
"While Horsham Police Station operates 24 hours a day, there are occasions where the front counter may be unattended due to unplanned leave," she said.
"That said, police are always on patrol and available to respond around the clock.
"We want to be clear – the vast majority of young people in Horsham are fantastic kids who contribute positively to our community.
"However, when individuals do break the law, police will investigate thoroughly and take appropriate action."
Inspector Johnson said, "To break the cycle of reoffending longer-term, our local Youth Resource Officers (YROs) invest significant energy into intercepting young people as they come on our radar and diverting them to appropriate support agencies.
"Where offending continues, we have no hesitation in arresting individuals and putting them before the courts.
"We’re also encouraging parents and carers to report any concerning behaviour to police – we can only act on what we know," she said.
"Our members are actively engaging with families, schools, and local service providers to educate and support our young people.
"We have dedicated tasking in place for priority patrol areas, which form part of our daily operations.
"Our Proactive Policing Unit continues to run a range of educational initiatives in local schools, focusing on prevention and early intervention."
Inspector Johnson said, "Additionally, during the school holidays, we are running a dedicated police operation, Operation Shelter-2025, which will see an increased police presence across the area engaging with our Youth."
"A 13-year-old male has been arrested in relation to an assault and will be appearing at the Horsham Children's Court at a later date," she said.
Having been advised on Wednesday of the incidents, Horsham Rural City Council Mayor Ian Ross said the matter was concerning and he was appalled to hear of the children's suffering.
"The parents and their children need the support of the community and the schools to make sure our most vulnerable, our children, are safe," Cr Ross said.
"The community must act, if they see something, they must say something, take a photo, call the police.
"This must be dealt with swiftly and effectively, and the council will support the police in their efforts to keep our community safe.
"As well as assisting those affected, we must also find a way through schools, sporting clubs and the police to make sure the offenders do not become the criminals of the future."
