Vancouver Police have issued a public appeal to the public to be vigilant against violent swarmings by youths after eight incidents were reported to have occurred since June.
At a press conference yesterday, members of the Vancouver Police Youth Services Unit urged the public to be mindful of swarmings.
"Since June, we've arrested 10 suspects -- eight criminally charged -- and three of the recent swarming incidents are still under investigation," Detective Cieran Feenan said.
"A swarming is police jargon for when multiple suspects are on one person at one time. It's like a pack of wolves, and it's vicious and fast."
He said that the swarming tactic is an accepted practice among today's youth culture.
"Most of the recent swarming incidents have primarily involved youth aged 14 to 17," Det. Feenan said. "They are looking for someone or some kind of information and are not related to theft."
He said cases involving swarmings make it harder for investigators to find credible witnesses given the number of individuals involved.
"Anonymity is a big part of these assaults, because it is hard for victims to say who did what," said Det. Feenan.
The Vancouver Police Youth Services Unit is made up of six investigators who work undercover.
Det. Feenan described an incident that occurred earlier this month and involved a 13-year-old Vancouver girl who was swarmed by four girls aged 13 and 14 in an alley in the 2200 block of Pandora Street.
"Two of the girls initially approached her and the other two were waiting at the end of the lane," Det. Feenan said. "One of them pulled her hair and forced her to the ground and then they all began kicking and stomping her, particularly in the head and face."
He said that a passing motorist stopped to assist the victim and the four assailants ran. The victim was later taken to Children's Hospital and treated for a concussion, bruising and minor cuts before being released.
"The fact that it was so vicious and unprovoked is what's most shocking," Det. Feenan said.
Vancouver Police spokesman Constable Howard Chow said it is important for parents to know the whereabouts of their children at all times and to not let them roam the streets late at night.
"Parents should talk to their children and discuss options and plans for various situations they could find themselves in," Constable Chow said.
"Parents should also give their kids direction such as walking away from incidents where violence is escalating."
A swarming captured on three minutes of video illustrated the kind of violence these incidents involve. It depicted a 17-year-old victim being beaten by as many as eight youths aged 14 to 17.
Constable Chow emphasized that the issue is not specific to any particular ethnic or socio-economic groups. He advised people to stay away from rowdy groups who look like they may have been drinking and whose behaviour could turn violent.