A YOUNG boy was punched and head-butted in an unprovoked attack by a group of youths in Eaton Socon. Cambridgeshire police said the 10-year-old, who is from Eaton Socon, had been walking through an alleyway opposite the bus stop in Nelson Road when he was

A YOUNG boy was punched and head-butted in an unprovoked attack by a group of youths in Eaton Socon.

Cambridgeshire police said the 10-year-old, who is from Eaton Socon, had been walking through an alleyway opposite the bus stop in Nelson Road when he was assaulted by a group of five youths.

The incident happened as the boy was returning home from posting a letter on Sunday (January 6) at about 1.30pm.

Officers said the boy walked past a nearby play area when some older boys shouted abuse at him. He ignored them, posted the letter and was walking home when he realised he was being followed.

The victim tried to run but was trapped by the youths. Three of the group then took turns to assault him by head-butting and punching the boy to the head and stomach.

The 10-year-old was not seriously hurt but was left shocked and shaken and ran home to tell his father.

Police said the first attacker was described as white, aged 15 or 16, was 5ft 3in tall and had fair hair and freckles. He was wearing a top with blue and grey horizontal stripes, a dark blue jacket, black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

The second was described as white, aged 12 or 13, was 5ft tall, and also had freckles and a gaunt face He wore a red hooded top with a yellow picture on the front, black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers.

The third was also white, 5ft 6in tall, 14 or 15-years-old, with dark, spiky hair. He wore black tracksuit bottoms with white lines running down each leg, a black hooded top and black shoes.

Pc Mark Mossop, from St Neots police station, said: "This was an unprovoked and cowardly attack on a young boy and any information people may have, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could be very important."

INFORMATION: Contact Pc Mossop on 0845 456 4564, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.