parking lot on Tuesday night, Police Services report.

The 13-year-old had just finished working and as he was preparing to leave was warned by another packer about a group of youths in the parking lot begging people for money.

When he collected his bicycle to ride home he noticed two male youths riding around the lot on bicycles. On the way home he observed the two following him.

Despite speeding up one managed to overtake him, crossing him off and forcing him to stop. The youth demanded money and was refused.

In the meantime the second youth caught up and started to undo the 13-year-old's money pouch. When the young grocery packer started to scream for help he was punched about the face and pushed to the ground.

The assailants took the money pouch and rode off. Two members of the public came to the victim's assistance and helped him home. Police were given a good description of the culprits and an investigation is underway.

The victim's father, who wished to remain anonymous, said he found the incident "very sad'' and "worrying''.

"It gives one the horrors,'' he said. "It actually happened on South Road, one of the major roads.

"It make you wonder about what's going on out there.'' However, he said his son was trying not to let the incident prevent him from working as a packer, a job his has held for the past six months.

"As parents, we will make sure he gets home safely.'' The father added that they were greatly appreciative of the help given their son by a taxi driver and a member of the public.