An image of one of the youths police wish to speak to over the assault and robbery. Credit:Victoria Police The father of one of the teenagers claimed earlier this week that Protective Service Officers at the station failed to do enough to help his 14-year-old son during the attack. Anthony Ferrari's son Xavier was on his way home from the movies with his 17-year-old friend Ricky when the pair were set upon. The youths followed the two friends off the 166 bus and surrounded them at the bus shelter next to the train station before two males attacked. Both teenagers were assaulted and Xavier's phone, airpods and a gold necklace he'd received for his birthday two weeks earlier were stolen.

Mr Ferrari claims the two PSOs later told him there was little they could do but call police. "When I was talking to the PSO officer on the phone I asked why they let this happen, why didn't they stop it, but he said you've got to understand there was two of us and 20 of them, what are we going to do?" he said. "You teach your kids to stay in view of either the cameras or the PSOs, you think they should be safe." Transit Inspector Andrew Gustke, however, rejected suggestions the PSOs failed to intervene and said the officers had only just been approached by the first young victim when they became aware that another teen, his friend, was being attacked nearby. He said on Monday two officers had been patrolling the train station when commuters alerted them to the assault, which was happening a few hundred metres away.

By the time they approached, the group of youths had "scattered", he said. "The PSOs have done a fantastic job here, they've done exactly what they should do," Inspector Gustke said. "Whilst talking to this first victim it's our understanding that the second robbery was taking place. "That was happening 20 to 30 metres away from where they were and they have not witnessed that and not been aware of it until there was a lot of yelling and screaming going on." Transit police have released images and CCTV footage of two of the youths in the hope someone recognises them.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au