A woman who was battered and robbed by a gang of vicious teen girls has shared her ordeal, sparking fresh fears over youth violence on public transport.
Aliyah Matos was travelling home from work on a bus when five youths pounced on her in the unprovoked attack – smashing her face into a window before stealing her bag.
The incident took place shortly after the 20-year-old had finished her shift in a shop at Edinburgh’s Fort Kinnaird at around 9pm on January 7.
Aliyah, who lives in Colinton in the capital, was listening to music at the front of the double decker vehicle when she was struck with a blow to her jaw.
She told the Record: “Five or six of them came over and I felt the impact on my jaw from the punch. Then one of them grabbed my hair and slammed my head forward, jamming my face between my seat and the glass window of the bus.
“They pulled my hair and started hitting me in the back of the head. I covered my face in fear and when I finally managed to get up I noticed my bag was missing.”
Aliyah managed to get a glimpse of the teens and believes they were all around 15 years old. They ran off the bus and she chased them in an attempt to retrieve her bag, but they jumped her for a second time.
She continued: “I went after them because my bag had all my work stuff and ipad in it but they threw me onto the pavement and attacked me again.”
The shop worker then returned to the bus where the driver tried to called her mum to come and get her.
Police have since confirmed they are working with Lothian Buses to investigate the incident.
The terrifying attack on Aliyah comes after the Record reported on a number of violent incidents taking place on public transport as part of its Our Kids … Our Future campaign.
The campaign, which calls on the Scottish Government to invest in safe spaces within communities for young people.
Transport workers and their unions have previously told us that trains and buses are being used as “mobile gang huts” by disaffected youths left with nowhere to go since their local centres closed down during the pandemic.
In August 2023 a
Previously we reported that a number of youngsters have been exploiting the free public transport and using buses as “mobile gang huts” since the pandemic, when their community centres closed down and they were left with nowhere to go.
Unite the Union – which represents bus drivers – also said that a rise in attacks on workers has increased since those under the age of 22 were granted free bus travel in March 2021. We believe this has perpetuated the issue of youth violence and increased the risk to transport staff and other passengers.
After speaking to the Record Aliyah believes something needs to be done and said: “I’m totally onboard with the Our Kids, Our Future campaign. I think it would be really helpful for these feral youths to have somewhere to go, to get out of that mindset and find new opportunities to channel their frustration.
“I don’t think kids are getting brought up the right way anymore especially when it comes to violence.
“It is senseless and parents are just brushing it off with a slap on the wrist but the government also needs to step in so they have somewhere to go.
“Being on buses isn’t a substiute for that. If they are just using their young Scot cards as a liability just to travel around the city causing trouble and being a risk to folk actually using the buses, I honestly think they should have them taken away.”
Scotland’s former Justice Secretary Kenny said: “This must have been a frightening incident for Aliyah. Sadly, it’s not alone and follows on from even more tragic events. Public transport and our buses are for all, they’re not to be the gang hut for lads or the party bus for girls.
“Other passengers, of all ages, but especially other youngsters have rights to travel safely and enjoy the journey. Bus drivers likewise are entitled to respect not suffer torrents of abuse or worse. A minority are abusing the rights they have been given.
“Bus passes should be revoked for those abusing them and harming others as lives are being ruined and one has even been lost. Refusing to let large numbers board is appropriate and drivers need supported in that. But there has to be action and change or more draconian steps will be required.”
Aliyah is now recovering from her injuries but has been left traumatised by her ordeal.
She said: “It was a huge shock. I’m still feeling quite tender but it’s mostly cuts and bruises which will heal, thankfully.
“I had to go to work yesterday and it was my first time on a bus since the attack. I still felt afraid even sitting downstairs next to the driver just knowing you can’t even get on a bus anymore and be safe is terrifying.
“Kids with that feral mindset are constantly using the buses nowadays, it’s not just the girls who attacked me it could be any of them. They have no fear now.
“They don’t cover their faces, they attacked me in front of CCTV cameras in a public place, they don’t care if they are caught which terrifies me for when they strike next.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.10pm on Tuesday, 7 January, 2025, we received a report of an assault of a 20-year-old woman which took place on a bus in the Oxgangs Avenue area of Edinburgh. Enquiries are ongoing.”
While a Lothian spokesperson added: “We are aware of the incident and are assisting Police Scotland with their investigation.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond.Sign up to our daily newsletter.