WILTSHIRE Police say a 15-year-old boy has been taken to hospital after receiving an injury to his head.

The force refused to confirm the nature of the injury. Residents suggested the boy had been slashed with a blade.

It followed reports of what locals said was an altercation between two groups of youths in Stratton

A spokeswoman for the force said: "We were called to the Stratton St Margaret area of Swindon at approximately 5.50pm today following a report that a male in his teens had sustained an injury to his head.

"Officers and paramedics attended the scene and the male has been taken to hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

"Enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding how the teenager was injured are currently ongoing and officers are conducting investigations in the area this evening.

"Anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the Swindon Road area early this evening should call 101 and quote log number 260."

Police confirmed the boy was 15.

A forensics officer was earlier photographing spatters of what appeared to be blood on a doorstep of a home on Swindon Road.