Teens attacked by masked gang on way home from Swindon halloween party (From Swindon Advertiser)

Teens attacked by masked gang on way home from Swindon halloween party

4:07pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in News By Scott D'Arcy

Police are hunting a gang of thugs wearing masks and hoodies who attacked four teenagers with dog chains, bottles and a metal pole as they walked home from a halloween party.

The boys, two aged 14 and two 15-year-olds, had left the party in Wroughton and were walking along a secluded footpath close to Ridgeway School in the direction of Wichelstowe.

They were confronted at about 10pm by a gang of around 13 youths, wearing masks, balaclavas and  hoodies to hide their faces.

The gang, which is thought to have included two females, patted down the boys and then forced them to hand over their belongings.

They were then subjected to a vicious assault by both males and females who were wielding dog chains, bottles and a metal pole as they walked home from a halloween party.

Two of the boys were kicked and stamped as they tried to protect themselves whilst on the ground. All four received cuts and bruising to the face and head.

Most of their attackers, who escaped towards Wichelstowe, are described as white, 14 to 16 years of age, of average build and 5ft 6ins to 5ft 9ins tall. They were wearing dark clothes.

One of the females was described as shorter and slightly larger in build than the other female.

The stolen items include Blackberry Curve and Samsung Mini Galaxy mobile phones, a black Animal rucksack, a navy & white Obey hat and a dark brown Superdry jacket.

Det Con Melissa Carr of the Priority Crime Team at Gablecross Police Station said: “This was a particularly nasty and vicious assault on four boys who were making their way home after a Halloween party.

“They were left shaken and with painful injuries. We are urgently requesting help from anyone who saw a group of around 13 youths either in the vicinity of the alley where the robbery took place or in Wichelstowe.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who has any other information which might lead us to members of this group.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone 101 and ask for Det Con Carr in the Priority Crime Team.