Six kids charged after shopping centre brawl in Helensvale, Gold Coast
A 13-year-old girl is facing multiple charges after a violent altercation at a busy Gold Coast shopping centre left a man in hospital and a police officer injured.
Chaos erupted at Westfield Helensvale at around 2.40pm on Thursday when police were called to reports of a group of juveniles involved in an altercation with a 56-year-old man.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Youth brawl at Helensvale shopping centre
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.It is alleged the group of six, aged between 11 and 13, had been asked to leave a retail store due to their behaviour, police said.
The man followed them after witnessing what had happened.
One of the girls allegedly assaulted the man outside the store, prompting security guards to intervene.
Officers arrived a short time later, but during attempts to restrain the girl, she allegedly struck a police officer on the back of the head.
The officer sustained minor injuries.
The man was taken to hospital with facial injuries.
Footage obtained by 7NEWS shows more than a dozen police officers on scene, as the situation escalated and terrified shoppers watched on.
One store owner told 7NEWS they barricaded customers inside, including a mother and her baby, to keep them safe.
A 13-year-old girl from Pimpama has now been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, serious assault police, and affray.
She is due to face Southport Children’s Court on July 9.
A 12-year-old Upper Coomera boy has been charged with affray and also issued a notice to appear in court on the same day.
Four girls, aged between 11 and 13, have also been charged with affray.
One 11-year-old girl is facing an additional assault charge.
All were dealt with under provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
Detectives from the Gold Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit are reviewing CCTV to determine whether further charges will be laid.
Investigations are continuing, and police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident and hasn’t yet spoken to officers to come forward.
Originally published on 7NEWS
