Hope Lyden, a 13-year-old girl, was the victim of a brutal gang attack in Boden Boo, Erskine, last weekend, which has raised alarm over rising youth violence in Scotland. Hope was reportedly assaulted by a group of girls she did not know after agreeing to meet a friend at a local bus stop on Friday night, 11 April 2025.

According to reports, Hope was confronted by an unknown girl who accused her of speaking about her. Following a brief conversation, another teen stepped in, claiming they would help Hope escape the situation. However, it was at this point that Hope was struck in the back of the head, rendering her unconscious and leading to a violent beating by multiple attackers. Disturbing footage of the incident emerged on social media, showing the assailants kicking and punching Hope as she lay defenseless on the ground, while bystanders observed and filmed the events without intervening.

Hope’s mother, Katrina, shared her distressing experience during the attack, describing the moment her daughter called in a panic. “Hope phoned me and all I could hear was her screaming. She was frantic. It was horrific,” she stated, recalling hearing the sounds of the assault in the background. Upon arriving at Boden Boo, Katrina found her daughter on the ground, physically injured and in shock, with ripped clothing and hair torn from her scalp. “She had her eyes open but mentally, she was somewhere else. She looked traumatised and just absolutely stunned,” she said.

Following the attack, Hope was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where she was treated for concussion, a suspected broken nose, and oral injuries. The incident has been reported to Police Scotland, who have confirmed that an investigation is underway. A spokesperson for the police confirmed that two girls, aged 12 and 13, have since been charged in connection with the assault.

Katrina has advocated for action against youth violence, aligning with the Record’s youth violence campaign, “Our Kids … Our Future.” She emphasised the need for safe spaces where young people can engage in positive activities, suggesting that such environments could help mitigate the risk of violence. “Kids do need places to go to. There’s nothing for them, and these attacks are getting out of hand,” she asserted.

Community campaigner Alex O’Kane expressed his dismay over the attack, highlighting the need for urgent government intervention to combat youth violence. He stated, “This video really sickened me as the continued and repeated brutality after this young girl was clearly motionless and unconscious was beyond sickening.” O’Kane questioned how many more incidents would need to occur before substantial steps were taken to address the issue.

In light of the incident, the Scottish Government has been approached for comment, as the community seeks assurance that measures will be implemented to prevent further occurrences of such violence. As investigations continue, the situation remains a focal point of concern regarding youth safety and the broader implications of societal violence.

Source: Noah Wire Services