Violence between young people is not a new phenomenon. Classrooms, sporting events, local parks have long been arenas for such behaviour. But the number of incidents appears to be increasing.

Only two days into the new year, a shocking video was posted online showing a disabled 18-year-old who had been sitting at a bus stop in Dunfermline allegedly being punched and kicked by a group of mostly school-age teenagers. It is also alleged his hearing aid was broken during the incident. 

The victim was rushed to hospital and in the days that followed five boys aged between 14 and 17 were charged, along with a 20-year-old man, in relation to the incident.

It serves as a sobering reminder of the sharp uptick of violence in schools that was highlighted last year following a slew of videos showing violence between young people, mostly filmed in and around school settings.

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