Police investigate assault on schoolboy

Exmouth Police are investigating an assault on a 12-year-old schoolboy in the town.

The incident happened as the boy was walking home from school on the cycle path between Phear Park and Bradham Lane around 3.30pm on Wednesday (21 January).

The boy, dressed in school uniform, was near the brick bridge when he was pushed over by an unknown man and assaulted. His phone was smashed and he suffered grazes to his hands.

Police are investigating the possibility that the assault was an attempt to steal from him.

Officers are seeking the offender who ran off towards Phear Park. He was wearing a black top with the hood up over a purple cap, black Adidas jogging bottoms and black Nike trainers.

Detective Constable Carly Davies, from Exmouth CID, said: “We are appealing to anyone who saw this man or knows anything about this incident to contact us.

“Police would like to reassure residents that this type of incident is very rare in Exmouth however we have increased uniform patrols in the area and recommend that children use the main routes to walk to and from school.”

Anyone who can assist with the investigation is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting crime reference CR/4874/15.