Darwin police say four young men have been arrested over the alleged bashing of a 15-year-old boy at the Palmerston bus interchange.
The teenager suffered a broken jaw and broken teeth in the assault, which happened yesterday afternoon.
Duty superintendent Bob Harrison says the boy was with friends when the group approached him.
“They positioned themselves around the victim,” he said.
“One offender struck the victim in the face and as he stumbled, three others joined in punching him and he fell to the ground. They then commenced kicking him.”
He says the victim was taken to a nearby medical clinic and dentist for emergency treatment.
“As a result of the assault the young lad fell face first onto a steel bench seat, causing substantial damage to his lower front teeth,” he said.
“He also suffered a fractured jaw.”
The father of the alleged victim contacted the ABC this morning to appeal for any witnesses to contact police.
Bill Cumberland says his son, Jessie, was on his way to a friend’s house when he was attacked.
“I don’t understand how this could happen in the centre of Palmerston,” he said.
“There was a mobile police station located at the bus depot and obviously these bastards, it made no difference to them whatsoever.”
Palmerston Mayor Robert McLeod has described the alleged attack as “shocking”.
He says a lot of effort has been made to improve safety at the bus interchange.
“I’m surprised because I thought the security there was pretty good,” he said.
“It has been improved with the transit police and the police patrolling there now.
“I’m not sure what else we can do apart from sending a police officer there all the time, which we can’t do.”