MY 13-year-old son and his friend got on a 36 bus on Newport Street on Saturday afternoon (January 9), at 2.15pm, to come home to Great Lever after a look around the shops.

They went to sit upstairs as the lower deck was full. A man in his 40s was already sitting upstairs. At Thynne Street, a group of about six 15 to 16 year olds got on and surrounded my son and his friend, who immediately felt uncomfortable, and tried to go downstairs. They were prevented from doing so, and were asked for money and threatened they could be knifed if they didn't hand over their money, though, thank God, no knife was produced.

One of these thugs started to go through my son's pockets while he was still struggling to get away. He was then head butted and punched in the face. His friend managed to slip away and got downstairs to tell the driver who seemed unconcerned.

Meanwhile, in his fight to hold on to his wallet, my son was bitten on the back of his hand, resulting in two minor breaks to the skin, and later swelling and bruising. Eventually the driver stopped, and my son and his friend ran back to our house.

They are both in a state of panic and very upset. After immediate first aid to the bruised hand and a comforting cuddle, I called the police, who attended very swiftly and took a statement from my son, during which he was still very distressed.

This incident has affected my family and friends deeply. We cannot put into words how disgusted we feel that two innocent young children should have been put through this ordeal, particularly in broad daylight, while other people were about.

We have a 16-year-old son as well as the one who was assaulted. It would never enter his head to treat another human being like these thugs did. What morals and examples are the parents of some of todays' youngsters passing on to their offspring? And how could an adult on the same deck not at least go and stop the bus when he saw what was happening?

I have written this letter to let the people of Bolton know what is happening in our town. I don't know the answer, but we must stop the rot in our society.

Traumatised Mum

Great Lever

(name and address supplied)

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.