EXCLUSIVE:Teenager slammed against shop window and threatened with a knife in Romford.

‘We are being let down in every field’–Mum hits back at poor support following son’s assault.

A 14 year old boy was grabbed by the throat, slammed up against a shop window and had a knife held to his stomach by a gang of teenagers who are ‘terrorising’ those visiting Romford Town Centre.

The mum, who did not wish to be named, told the Havering Daily exclusively that her son rarely goes out due to fears of being assaulted.

“My son suffers with depression for a variety of reasons so rarely goes out. He spends most of his time at home as he worries about gangs and knives.

“He actually visited Romford with his friends last week and went to Tesco on South Street to buy a drink. As he left the store, he saw the gang of boys all older than him, start to follow him.

“They began to shout at him and he carried on walking and then one went over to him, grabbed him by the throat, held him up against the shop window and put a knife against his stomach. Luckily a store worker from inside the shop, rushed out and intervened and the gang left.

“The shop worker confirmed everything my son said to the police and also told them that this gang of youths, all older than my son, are actually terrorising many others across Romford and that the previous week, one of the gang had chased another teenager with a machete.”

The incident was reported to the police, but the mum is not sure if anything will be done.

“When I called to confirm details, they had the wrong CAD number and could not find the incident. I was also told that the case might be closed.

“I hope they are able to access CCTV footage and that this gang are actually stopped. They are terrorising people.”

Following this incident, the 14 year old is very apprehensive to leave his house.

“He is very depressed about the incident. I am looking to get mental health support for him but we are being let down in every field.

“To access mental health support is difficult, to get the youths off the streets is difficult. We really are being let down in every field.

“Parents fear for their children everyday when they go out, gone are the days when your children could visit a shopping centre with their mates on a Saturday afternoon.

“Now, my son stays at home for fear of what will happen to him.

“The system is truly broken.”

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