Apple in racist storm after black boys ejected from shop "because they might steal something"

Six black schoolboys were asked to leave an Apple store because staff were worried "they might steal something".

The technology giant has since apologised after the alleged racist incident at Melbourne's Highpoint shopping centre in Australia.

There was an outcry on social media after the video showing the schoolboys being turfed out the shop emerged on Tuesday.

It has been viewed more than 62,000 times on Facebook and sparked debate across social media.

In it, a staff member can be heard saying: "These guys are … just a bit worried you might steal something".

When the boys protest, the staff member tells them: "End of discussion - I need to ask you to leave our store."

"These guys are just a bit worried about your presence in our store," an Apple staff member is heard telling the teenagers. "They're just a bit worried you might steal something."

The students appear shocked by the accusation and despite their protests are asked to leave.

"Guys, end of discussion, I need to ask you to leave our store," the staff member says.

The Year 10 students, who attend Maribyrnong College in Melbourne, say they were shocked by their treatment.

"I've been coming to Highpoint for a long time and I never thought something like this would happen ... of course I was offended," Mabior Ater told Fairfax Media yesterday.

Mabior says it is not the first time he has experienced racism but "this is the first time it has been this big."

He says he was overwhelmed by the flood of support he and his school friends have received on social media since the video went viral.

"A lot of people shared it (the video) and they were very angry that this was still happening in 2015," he said.

Apple said the store manager apologised to the boys, and their school's headteacher and the company was investigating the incident.

The student who filmed the video, Francis Ose, said on Facebook: "Simply racism - made them apologise tho (sic)."

Another of the boys involved, Mohamed Semra, later said on Facebook that they were satisfied with the response from Apple.

"They apologised, so we're chilling, no need to take it further," he wrote.

At about 3.30pm a senior manager from the store met with the teenagers, according to The Age .

Another of the boys, "She apologised to us and told us that we are welcome here anytime," Mabior said. "It feels like we have justice now."