Racist attack on teen girl in Horsham park (From The Argus)

Racist attack on teen girl in Horsham park

8:16am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

A 13-year-old girl was kicked and punched in a racist attack.

The girl, who is British Asian, was walking through the secluded area of a park when the gang of older youths targeted her.

Yelling out a series of racist insults, including “Go back to your own country”, they put her in a head- lock and assaulted her in Horsham Park, Horsham.

Eventually they ran off and the girl, who asked to remain anony- mous, went home.

Police said because of the insults that were used against the girl they are treating the incident as racially- motivated.

Sergeant Chris O’Leary said: “It is not being linked to any other assault in the area and it is unique.

“Racist assaults are thankfully rare.

“The girl was on her own and walking through a park and had reached a secluded area when she heard someone say ‘There’s someone coming’.

“While she was being attacked they were yelling racist abuse at her but there is no indication that any- one had any grievance against the victim.

Very unusual

“It is very unusual to experience an attack like this.

“Usually reports of racism are between older people, perhaps a neighbourhood dispute, and it is a one-off comment.”

Police are keen to track down anyone who might have seen the two teenage girls and two teenage boys running away from the area after the attack.

The girl, who was not seriously hurt in the attack, was last night due to be interviewed by police officers.

The incident happened on Wednesday, February 27, at about 4pm. Anyone with information should call Sussex Police on 101, quoting serial 1183 of 28/2.

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