Police appealing for witnesses after teenager assaulted in Blackburn

We are appealing for witnesses and footage after a teenage boy was assaulted at a Blackburn park.

The assault took place near to the playground close to the running track in Witton Park at around 9.10pm on June 23.

After being punched several times to the face, the 16-year-old victim was knocked to the ground where he continued to be punched. Several teenagers are thought to have been involved in the assault.

The victim attended hospital with a serious facial injury. He has since been discharged.

Two teenagers – both aged 16 and from Blackburn – have been interviewed on suspicion of racially / religiously aggravated wounding / grievous bodily harm. They have both since been released pending further enquiries.

Our detectives are now appealing for witnesses or anybody with mobile phone footage or images which could assist their investigation to come forward.

In particularly, they want to speak to a couple who were walking past at the time the victim was being assaulted and stopped to help.

DC Rebecca Charnley, of Blackburn CID, said: “This was a serious assault which has left the young victim with some quite nasty injuries.

“We take all incidents of this nature extremely seriously and we have dedicated officers assigned to this case.

“Although we have spoken to two individuals in relation to this assault our enquiries are very much ongoing. We want to hear from anybody who was in the park on the evening of June 23 and saw or heard anything which could assist our enquiries to come forward.

“I know news of this assault will cause residents a degree of concern. However, this is very much being treated as an isolated incident. Reassurance patrols were increased in the aftermath of the assault as a precaution.”