Shocking footage shows moment teen girl allegedly attacks police officer at Westfield Helensvale on the Gold Coast
The terrifying vision captured the moment the 13-year-old from the pack of unruly children at Westfield Helensvale, Gold Coast, raised her arm before allegedly striking the officer from behind on the back of the head as the chaos raged around them.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
The dramatic footage revealed the full extent of the fight that erupted around 2.40pm on Thursday, when a group of six children aged between 11 and 13 were asked to leave a retail store.
The vision showed how quickly the situation escalated after a 56-year-old man followed the group outside, only to allegedly be attacked.
The man suffered facial injuries and was taken to hospital.
Security guards can be seen intervening as the chaos unfolds, with terrified shoppers watching on as more than a dozen police officers rushed to the scene.
One store owner told 7NEWS they were forced to barricade customers inside, including a mother and her baby, as the violent confrontation continued.
'It is disgraceful to see children of such tender ages involved in these serious incidents,' the allegedly attacked man said in an exclusive statement to 7NEWS.
'We believe there is a critical gap in accountability.'
The victim is demanding tougher action from the courts and wants accountability extended to the parents of the young offenders, highlighting growing concerns about juvenile crime.
A 13-year-old girl from Pimpama has now been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, serious assault police, and affray and a 12-year-old Upper Coomera boy has been charged with affray.
Both are due to face Southport Children's Court on July 9.
Four girls, aged between 11 and 13, have also been charged with affray, with one 11-year-old facing an additional assault charge.
All were dealt with under provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident and hasn't yet spoken to officers to come forward.
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