Police yesterday played down claims that a group of teenagers is travelling the island launching unprovoked attacks on other children.

A flurry of e-mails circulated by concerned parents in the last week described a group of "hooligans" preying upon younger kids, assaulting them with racist remarks, stealing personal belongings and, in the most serious case, assailing a 13 year old with punches and scarring him with a glass bottle.

A police spokesperson said the Service is aware of the allegations, most of which fall into the age-old practice of bullying.

"Is it an epidemic? No. Are we mindful of it? Yes. Should parents panic? No. It's a perennial challenge. Is this new? Absolutely not.

"The Media Relations Department is receiving a plethora of e-mails from members of the public questioning whether there is any validity to the claims made. We recognise it's a challenge that exists in the environment.

"It's been there for a number of years and we're actively dealing with it. It's one issue in our schools and our community and it's commonly called bullying. A parent who has a specific level of concern, before they send an e-mail, should ensure proper protocol is followed. By that I mean contacting the police."

The spokesperson said that a formal complaint had been lodged regarding the assault on the 13 year old, and that it is now under investigation.

However, the boy's mother this week sent out an e-mail warning to parents, concerned that other kids might suffer at the hands of "the little miscreants" who attacked her son at a birthday party last Friday.

"At approximately 10.30 p.m., he was literally pulled away from the party by someone who claimed to be his friend," she wrote. "Once at the bottom of the hill my son was set upon by four male youths aged between 13 to 15 years.

"One proceeded to punch my son in his face to divert his attention. While looking at the individual who struck him, another hit him from behind with a glass bottle. The result of the bottle shattering left a two-inch gash to the back of my son's neck. My child will now have a scar from the stitches for the rest of his natural life!"

The woman identified the alleged culprits, directing specific criticism for the teenager she believed was the ringleader in the incident ¿ and his mother.

"(He) is already on probation for similar offenses!! To (his) mom, my question to you is, if your son is on probation what the HELL was he doing out of the house to begin with??!! You have not even contacted me to ask how my son is doing!! Or to have your child apologise for what he has done. Yeah, I can tell how sorry you are.

"I will be prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law. If this young chap can do this at the tender age of 14 and I do nothing about his behaviour, what will he be capable of doing when he gets older? What is wrong with you HOOLIGANS!!! Had this just been a one on one fight, with no weapons I could have chucked it up to boys being boys.

"These young boys are maliciously going around committing offenses. Even orchestrating a plan on who is to do what and when to it. Is it just me or does it seem like these children are living everyday as if they are part of an R, or worse yet, an unrated movie!!! I refuse to live in fear and I will not allow these little miscreants to interfere with my family anymore!!!"

Another mother sent an e-mail warning parents and kids to beware a group of "little terrorists" who threatened her daughter and stole her bag after she refused to hand over $1.

"For you and your children's protection, there is a small group of teenagers in town that have been 'ganging' up on other children.

"It has happened a few times already this summer in various locations I have been told.

"There have been teenagers threatening other teenagers/tweens in Hamilton this week, first asking for money and when they refuse they are either set upon or have their bags taken.

"My daughter was in a popular fast food restaurant in Hamilton having lunch with a friend this week and a girl approached her asking for $1. When she refused the girl got in her face and threatened her and took her bag. She even made a racist remark: 'This is our rock and we are going to take over this island'.

"Unfortunately, the attacker is black and my child is white. We are not a racist family.

"What amazes me the most is that there were other adults there during the lunch hour and they saw what was going on and did nothing to stop this! Why are people afraid of these little terrorists?"

The woman said it was time to "stop this madness and stand up for what is right" or the island would suffer.

"I am really afraid for the future of our island and our younger generations behind us," she stated.

"So, those of you with tweens/teenagers ¿ and even adults ¿ don't encourage them to carry lots of money with them in Hamilton and be cautious of who is around them. It's sad we are now living in a time that we have to fear everything. Bermuda, we need to pray for our teens and our island. This island is getting out of control."

While race "may have been a factor" in the incident, the Police Service spokesperson said bullying was the more likely explanation behind it. He admitted the issue was one of concern for schools and police but said the burden of responsibility falls on parents, who ultimately have three weapons at their disposal.

"They can take action, and by that I mean prosecution," he stated. "They can mediate and then there's prevention."

He explained that prevention would involve "an overt police presence" but admitted it impossible for officers to monitor all parts of the island at all times.

"There is critical advice a child should be given, a specific set of instructions ¿ walk away, do not stay in the environment.

"Parents should report the incident. If they can, get a description of the alleged culprits, where the incident took place and the time it happened.

"In 2008, when raising a child, parents should be aware where their minors or children are, whose company they're in and what time they're leaving and returning from home."