This is Kent --
A 12-YEAR-OLD girl who was grabbed by her hair, pushed to the ground and beaten up in broad daylight in the town centre now "cries herself to sleep", according to her distraught mother.
Carla Veness said her terrified daughter was taken round the back of Argos, shoved to the floor and kicked in the head and body by a gang in their early teens.
The assault, which left the girl needing hospital treatment for bruising and concussion, has sparked a wider debate about safety in Dover town centre.
Parents have told the Express of several attacks in recent weeks, and concerned local councillor Sue Jones said she had also heard of other incidents.
Miss Veness, 32, has told this newspaper how she felt when her traumatised daughter returned home having fled the group of about 12, who approached the girl on Biggin Street at 4pm on Wednesday, April 10.
The full-time mother-of-four, who asked the Express not to print her daughter's name for fear of reprisal, said: "I felt physically sick, just sick to the stomach.
"How could this happen to my little girl?
"She has been crying herself to sleep every night and is now too scared to go out alone."
The Coombe Valley Road resident said the town centre was blighted by problems.
She added: "Kids are terrorising the McDonald's area every week and I know other parents are getting worried.
"There are decent children out there, but this kind of thing ruins it for everyone.
"If this has happened to others I would urge children to talk to their parents and make sure it's reported."
Labour councillor Sue Jones, whose ward covers part of the town centre, said: "Unfortunately incidents like this do happen.
"I have heard of a few instances recently and don't know why it's happening.
"I'd like to help the family in any way I can."
Kent Police said three local youths, one aged 12 and two aged 13, had been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries. Reported by This is 23 hours ago.
A 12-YEAR-OLD girl who was grabbed by her hair, pushed to the ground and beaten up in broad daylight in the town centre now "cries herself to sleep", according to her distraught mother.
Carla Veness said her terrified daughter was taken round the back of Argos, shoved to the floor and kicked in the head and body by a gang in their early teens.
The assault, which left the girl needing hospital treatment for bruising and concussion, has sparked a wider debate about safety in Dover town centre.
Parents have told the Express of several attacks in recent weeks, and concerned local councillor Sue Jones said she had also heard of other incidents.
Miss Veness, 32, has told this newspaper how she felt when her traumatised daughter returned home having fled the group of about 12, who approached the girl on Biggin Street at 4pm on Wednesday, April 10.
The full-time mother-of-four, who asked the Express not to print her daughter's name for fear of reprisal, said: "I felt physically sick, just sick to the stomach.
"How could this happen to my little girl?
"She has been crying herself to sleep every night and is now too scared to go out alone."
The Coombe Valley Road resident said the town centre was blighted by problems.
She added: "Kids are terrorising the McDonald's area every week and I know other parents are getting worried.
"There are decent children out there, but this kind of thing ruins it for everyone.
"If this has happened to others I would urge children to talk to their parents and make sure it's reported."
Labour councillor Sue Jones, whose ward covers part of the town centre, said: "Unfortunately incidents like this do happen.
"I have heard of a few instances recently and don't know why it's happening.
"I'd like to help the family in any way I can."
Kent Police said three local youths, one aged 12 and two aged 13, had been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries. Reported by This is 23 hours ago.