[dropcap type=”circle”]M[/dropcap]erseyside Police detectives are appealing for witnesses after four teenage boys were assaulted by a baseball bat wielding gang in the Prenton area on Saturday 14 January.
At around 7.45pm, a report was received of four boys between the ages of 16 and 17 being attacked by a group of around 20 youths in Duck Pond Lane Park, Prenton, behind the car park of Aldi supermarket on Woodchurch Road. Some of the group were armed with what were described as metal poles and baseball bats. They were described as between 12 and 20 years of age, and wearing dark clothing. The offenders made off before police arrived and the victims were taken to hospital for treatment on a variety of minor injuries. The offence was not reported to police immediately and is thought to have happened around 7pm.
CCTV, forensic and house-to-house enquiries have been carried out and detectives want to speak to any witnesses to the assault.
Wirral Detective Sergeant Simon Douch said: “Although it is early in our investigations, this appears to have been a completely unprovoked attack. The incident took place in a public place and I would urge anyone who witnessed it or knows who was involved to do the right thing and call police immediately, whether directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers.
“Although we do not know at this stage exactly how many were in the group, we are keen to speak to anyone who saw a group of youths in and around the area in the early evening, including the park, the Arno gardens, or close to the supermarkets on Woodchurch Road. Any detail, however, small may be vital to our investigation.
“We believe that the youths directly involved in the assault were part of a larger group and I am sure some of these young people would be appalled at the actions of those responsible, and would not want to be associated with such cowardly actions. The victims are understandably shocked at what happened and are being supported by their families and police at this time. We are all thankful that these boys were not more seriously injured.
“I would like to reassure people that incidents like this are rare on the Wirral but we will be increasing patrols in the area and will be doing everything possible to bring the offenders to justice.”
Anyone who has information is urged to contact detectives on 0151 777 2265, call 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.Merseyside Police detectives are appealing for witnesses after four teenage boys were assaulted in the Prenton area of Wirral on Saturday 14 January.
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