Girl punched and hit with stick in Ward Jackson Park gang attack

Now police investigating the assault are appealing for information and CCTV footage.

The incident was reported to have happened between 8pm and 8.30pm last night, Tuesday, July 21, in Ward Jackson Park.

The girl reported being approached by a group of around 10 males, thought to be in their later teens, likely aged between 15 and 16, who hit her with a stick, causing an injury to her neck which required hospital treatment.

The girl was also punched to the face and her bicycle was damaged.

Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team will be conducting regular reassurance patrols in the area of the park, while Hartlepool Borough Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers and new Community Street Ambassadors will also be providing a visible presence and engaging with park visitors.

Inspector Matt Reeves from Hartlepool Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Officers investigating this incident want to appeal directly to parents. If they know their son was in the park at this time we want them to speak to us.

“This is an upsetting report of an incident involving a large group of males assaulting a younger female. We are committed to identifying all those involved and there will be a regular police presence in the park area.”

Hartlepool Borough Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers and new Community Street Ambassadors are also offering reassurance and the council has re-engaged the town’s Bob Farrow Centre to provide a Youth Outreach Service.

Council leader and Safer Hartlepool Partnership chair Coun Shane Moore said “Our thoughts are with the victim of this unprovoked attack.

“There is no place for incidents such as this in the town and members of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership will be working closely together to both identify and deal with those responsible.”

He urged parents to be aware of what their children were doing, and to contact Cleveland Police if they suspected their children were involved in the assault.

Anyone who may have been in the area at that time or has CCTV footage which may assist should call 101, quoting reference 118044.

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