Boy, 12, attacked at shopping centre

A 12-year-old boy has had facial surgery after being punched at a shopping centre.

The incident is being treated as a serious assault and police have appealed for shoppers who have information to come forward.

The lad and three friends left intu Braehead shopping centre, Renfrew, around 2.30pm on Sunday and headed towards the pirate ship play park.

They came across another group of teenage boys and words were exchanged before the victim and his friends were chased.

Another boy caught up with the victim at the stairs near to Krispy Kreme and punched him.

The attacker is then believed to have made his way back in to the shopping centre.

He is described as being aged around 12 or 13, 5ft 6 ins tall and of slim build.

He has red hair, which was shaved in at the sides and longer and combed back on the top.

He was wearing a black jacket and tracksuit bottoms.

The victim was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley, where he had surgery for a facial injury.

Detective Constable Laura Watt, from Paisley CID, said:“This type of violent behaviour is completely unacceptable and enquiries are ongoing to trace the person responsible.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the Braehead area on Sunday afternoon and may have noticed a group of teenage boys at the rear of the shopping centre, or indeed the assault itself, to please come forward.”

Anyone with information should contact Paisley CID on the 101 number.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where details can be given in confidence.