'I've lost my livelihood': Business owner shuts up shop after being attacked by youths

A Perth business owner says he's been forced to shut up shop after he was bashed by a gang of teenagers.

The man, who wanted to be known as "Glen", said the youths had been stealing from his Frozen Yoghurt store at Westfield Carousel for weeks.

"When I saw them this time, my instinct was to chase them," he said.

"Then I felt something hit the back of my head and realised I'd been ninja kicked.

"I hit my head on the ground, and I was flat on the floor but they kept punching and kicking me. "

The Perth father says he was struck several times in the face back and stomach, then the teens stole his wallet and spat on him.

The brutal attack left him with head injuries and internal bleeding.

"You're at the mercy of a group, it's not a nice feeling," he said.

"Now I'm always looking over my shoulder to see if somebody's going to attack me."

Glen said he's seeing a psychologist to deal with the trauma, and had to close his business for fear of retribution.

"I've lost my livelihood, that was my livelihood," he said.

"I just had to shut it down for the safety of my staff and my own safety."

He said Westfield Carousel management have now ordered him to pay for damages that were caused by a member of the gang, during the incident on January 17.

A spokesperson for the shopping centre was unable to comment.

Police are still investigating and have located one of the alleged offenders, but still want to speak to a male involved in the attack.

The incident follows a string of youth crime in recent months, with hot-spot suburbs including Cockburn, Maddington and Ellenbrook.

The spike has prompted prominent Perth lawyer John Hammond to call for tougher police outcomes.

"I don't think the juveniles are scared, I think they're treating it as a complete joke," he said.

"I think the time for warnings and infringement notices is over, there needs to be charges laid."