Six teens arrested after 15-year-old attacked in New Milton

SIX teenagers were arrested after an attack on a 15-year-old boy amid concerns over a rise in violence among youngsters in New Milton.

Police vowed to engage with local schools on the issue after the victim was targeted outside his home on Tuesday 7th February.

Details of the incident, which took place around 3.30pm, were released by local officers on social media 10 days later.

The boy was left with bruising, grazing and a laceration to his head – injuries which a Hampshire police spokesperson said were not serious.

Initial enquiries led officers from New Milton and Lyndhurst to make arrests at various addresses across the area three days later.

Three boys, two aged 16 and one 15, were arrested on suspicion of attempted wounding with intent.

Two girls aged 14 and 16 were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

A 16-year-old boy was also detained on suspicion of intentionally encouraging/assisting the commission of an indictable-only offence.

The suspects, all local except for one 16-year-old boy from Christchurch, were later released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.

Southampton CID took over investigations “due to the nature of the incident”, according to a police Facebook post.

“I am aware of a recent increase of reports of assaults and violence involving children and teenagers in the town,” it continued.

“We will be looking to engage with local schools regarding this and to spread the message of the serious consequences of what just one punch can do, let alone multiple kicks.

“The local beat team will deal with any reports of this nature robustly to try and prevent matters escalating.”