Gang assaults girl at shopping centre
POLICE are investigating reports that a girl was assaulted after being pursued by a gang of youths in Runcorn.
A Cheshire Constabulary spokesman said the victim, aged 13, was walking on West Lane at around 5.30pm on Saturday when a group of five teenage girls began to follow her.
While they were walking, more teenagers – male and female – joined the group following her.
The spokesman said that as they were passing through Trident Retail Park, one girl pulled the victim’s hair and hit her in the face, prompting her to flee and seek refuge at a friend’s address. Police were called at 6.20pm. A video clip purported to be the incident has been circulating on social media.
The footage shows a group of youths including one boy on a bike and several girls walking after another girl.
They pass the far corner by TK Maxx in Trident Retail Park and continue to the far corner near ● Pizza Hut.
A girl’s voice from behind the camera goads one of the girls, referring to her by name and saying ‘just hit her’, ‘go ‘ed’, ‘wig ‘er’, and ‘t*** her’.
Towards the end of the clip one of the pursuing girls says ‘she’s ringing the police’ and ‘she’s ringing plod’ as the victim walks away towards Hallwood Link Road.
PC Andy Maskell said: “The victim in this case has been left shaken as a result of this ordeal and I would like to reassure local reassure local residents that we are doing all we can to trace the person responsible.
“Enquiries are currently ongoing and I’d ask anyone with any information to contact the team here at Runcorn on 101 quoting IML 281655 or online at https://cheshire. police. uk/ contact/ generalenquiries”
Information can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
The incident came amid a spell of increased problems with anti-social behaviour among youths at Trident Retail Park and nearby Runcorn Shopping City.
A police community support officer (PCSO) reported in a Halton Lea newsletter that the area has suffered a spate of ‘abusive’ youths, some causing issues in delivery areas and also throwing their drinks around.
PCSO Christine Hogan said: “Please inform your children that the Shopping City is not a playground to ride bikes through, throw drinks all over the floors and windows and then swear at security.
“We are processing the footage of these youths and we will work with school liaisons officers and housing and we will deal with these youths robustly.”