POLICE are this week appealing for help from the public, after two separate attacks which left teenagers injured. The first incident involved a 13-year-old boy who was assaulted in an unprovoked attack on a riverside path in Tavistock last week. The boy was walking with his ten-year-old cousin along the path adjacent to the Bedford Car Park on the afternoon of Wednesday February 13, when he was challenged by a youth sitting on a bench by the steps leading up to the car park. The youth, believed to be between the age of 16 and 19, then went after the boy and punched him in the face. He was described as white, 5ft 10ins tall and wearing a blue and grey striped sweatshirt, jeans and white trainers. He was sitting with another youth on the bench at the time. The incident occurred between 2.30pm and 2.45pm. Police said the 13-year-old suffered a split lip and chipped teeth. PC Dominic Waites said: 'This was a completely unprovoked attack. 'The park was full at the time — there were people all over the place so we believe someone must have seen something.' The father of the the young lad who was attacked said: 'Tavistock is supposed to be a decent town — this sort of thing shouldn't happen.' Anyone with information should call PC Waites at Tavistock Police Station on 08452 777444 and quote crime reference number JT/08/159. The second incident involved a teenaged girl who was injured during a gun attack in Horrabridge on the evening of the same day. The 16-year old was walking through the village at around 9pm with her 17-year old friend when they realised they were being followed by three young men. The girl and her friend, neither of whom wish to be named, passed the men when walking down Chapel Lane, by Tilly Bridge. At the time they noticed one of the men holding a ball-bearing type gun — moments later they heard a discharge which whistled past them. The pair continued walking and it was while crossing the footpath in Fillace Park next to the football pitch towards Walkhampton Road that they heard a second discharge fired at them. They went back towards the cemetery on Walkhampton Road and as they walked along the road they were aware of someone in the bushes. Another discharge was fired but this time it found its target and hit the coat of one of the girls — resulting in a severely swollen finger for the 16- year-old. PC Colin Taylor said: 'Whatever hit her coat has left a small yellow plastic case, an inch in diameter. 'This is a serious incident which has resulted in a nasty injury for one of the girls. 'Anyone in Horrabridge who has information on this incident or knows of anyone who possesses such a weapon that can discharge a yellow plastic casing the size of a small ball bearing, or uses one, should contact me on 08452 777444 or confidentially on Crimestoppers on 0800 111111.' The young man first seen holding the gun by Tilly Bridge is described as average build, taller than 5ft 2in, wearing a cream hoody and dark tracksuit bottoms. The second is approximately 5ft tall, dressed in dark clothing and the third man is described as 5ft 2in, wearing a light grey tracksuit top and bottom and a baseball cap. The weapon was a foot and a half long with sights on it and looked like a 'genuine' gun. Anyone with information on the incident should call either of the above numbers and quote the crime reference number JT/08/150.
