Crimes against tourists rank among the dumbest, most cowardly acts, and collectively we should be embarrassed as hell over the attack on two tourists in Paihia.
Was it too much to ask that the societal dullards among us could restrain themselves, at least during the sporting festival we are currently in the throes of, from attacking innocent travellers.
Of the two attacks, the worst resulted in a young American being left lying unconscious in the road. While police were attending to him, the second attack took place. Rocket scientists that they are, the two teenagers suspected of attacking the tourists were still walking about Paihia and were identified through a combination of good information and police work.
Why does our community take such a dim view of this type of thing? To bash anyone unconscious for the sake of a few dollars and the adrenalin hit that comes with it is disgusting. To attack a tourist is reprehensible.
These are people spending money in our community, indirectly putting food on the tables of locals.