Two teenage girls were assaulted and robbed on a bus in the Auckland suburb of St Heliers last week.
The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on August 17, when the girls boarded the bus on West Tamaki Road near the intersection with St Heliers Bay Road.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill reported that a group of young males and females confronted the girls and demanded their belongings. During the encounter, both victims were assaulted, and one sustained bruising to her face.
Police later identified and spoke with a group of young people in connection with the “aggravated robbery,” and Darvill noted that they are following “positive lines of inquiry.”
Tāmaki MP Brooke van Velden expressed her concern for the victims in a Facebook post, stating, “These attacks have no place in our society.”
A spokesperson for Auckland Transport confirmed they were aware of the incident and that the bus operator had provided footage to the police. “We are sorry to hear about this horrible incident,” the spokesperson said.
Auckland Transport emphasized that buses are equipped with CCTV, GPS, and panic buttons that record sound and are directly connected to the bus depot, enabling a quick response and coordination with emergency services. The spokesperson added that bus drivers receive training on de-escalation techniques and are advised to avoid confrontational situations.
Auckland Transport continues to work with operators and unions on safety initiatives and campaigns. “Anti-social behaviour is a societal issue, so we require everyone’s help — whether it’s police, community groups, or members of the public who can report anything they see,” the spokesperson said.
Transport officers are also deployed to known “hot spots” on the transport network, and nine new staff members have recently been recruited. “Transport officers are vital to ensuring safety on buses, trains, and ferries, and the new recruits are really enjoying positive interactions out on the transport network. They are warranted to give out tickets for fare evasion, but they are also there to help keep everyone safe and are well trained to do this,” the spokesperson added.
