Boy ,9, threatened with knife

A police probe has been launched after a nine-year-old boy was threatened with a knife in a West Lothian park.

The youngster was playing in Lanthorn Park, Livingston, on Friday evening when he was allegedly “pushed against a wall” and threatened with a bladed weapon by a youth.

He fled home in “a flood of tears” after the terrifying incident which happened at around 5.45pm on Friday.

Officers attended the area and spoke to a number of teenagers in relation to the matter.

Enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.

The young boy’s horrified mum posted an appeal on social media following the attack.

She said: “Absolutely livid beyond words ... my nine-year-old son has just ran in the house in a flood of tears.

“Older teens, about 20 of them, threatening my son with knives at the Lanthorn Park!

“Being pushed against a wall and head butted. Police have been called. Everybody watch your kids ... a park that’s for kids that’s meant to be safe and this happens.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 5.45pm on Friday, 22 April, police received a report that a nine-year-old boy had been threatened by a youth holding a knife in Lanthorn Park, Livingston.

“He was uninjured.

“Officers attended the area and spoke to a number of youths in relation to this matter and enquiries are continuing into this report.”