Police appeal after unprovoked attack on teenager in Exeter

Police are appealing for witnesses to an unprovoked assault where four young men targeted a 17-year-old boy in Exeter.

The teenager was on his bicycle in Pinhoe Road on Monday lunchtime [26 June] when he was set upon by a group of similar aged boys by Polsloe Bridge.

The offenders repeatedly punched and kicked the Exeter boy after knocking him to the ground.

One of them then attempted to steal the bicycle, which was damaged during the incident, before they all ran off towards Hamlyn Lane Playing Fields.

The victim sustained a head and arm injury and was treated by ambulance.

Police are investigating the incident which happened between 1pm and 1.15pm and appealing for any witnesses to come forward and contact them.

PC Matthew Beards, based in Exeter, said: “This was a cowardly attack where four people have worked together to attack a lone male in broad daylight.

“We know that the area was very busy at the time with a lot of passing members of the public. Police would like to speak with anyone who saw what happened and can help us to identify the suspects.”

Anyone with information can contact police via 101@dc.police.uk or by phone on 101, quoting crime reference CR/051325/17.

Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers via 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.