Six children as young as 12 have been arrested after a group allegedly assaulted several people in the Hobart CBD on Saturday afternoon.
Police said they were called around 4:30pm following reports a group of youths was causing a disturbance and assaulting members of the public.
Six children, aged 12 and 13, were arrested nearby.
“The youths were transported to the Hobart Police Station and were released into the custody of responsible adults,” a police spokesperson said.
“They will be proceeded against under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 1997.”
Police thanked members of the public who stepped in to help the victims.
Derwent Valley mayor Michelle Dracoulis said she witnessed a group of children, mostly girls, chasing a security guard through the Hobart mall on Saturday afternoon.
In a viral social media post, she alleged the group screamed, swore, made racist comments and threatened the guard.
“A young woman of Asian descent who was walking through with a friend was confronted, called names and threatened to be hit in the face,” Dracoulis wrote.
“We have a problem with racism and anti-social behaviour in this state. It’s bad across Australia, but what I saw this afternoon was unforgivable.”
She said one girl tried to hold her friends back, while several men stepped in and police were called.
“We need real action on youth crime and anti-social behaviour,” she wrote.
Her post has since drawn more than 6,400 likes and 2,700 comments.
Police are urging anyone with information or footage to contact them on 131 444, quoting OR817878.
