A ten-year-old boy was sprayed with aerosol and set on fire as he walked through Ashton Park in York.
A ten-year-old boy who was set alight by youths in a York playground says he was terrified during the unprovoked attack.
Gabriel Wishart was playing in the playground on Tuesday when the teenagers struck.
His mother says that she is horrified by the assault - which is now being investigated by police.
You can watch the full report from Rachel Bullock below.
A ten-year-old boy was set on fire after being sprayed with an aerosol can in a York park, the Yorkshire Post reports.
Gabriel Wishart, was targeted by a group of boys on Tuesday, who sprayed him and then set his clothes alight.
North Yorkshire Police said the incident was "very concerning".
– SERGEANT ED NOBLE, NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICEThis is a very concerning incident which could have had serious consequences, but thankfully the boy did not suffer any injuries but was left shaken by the ordeal. We are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident and we are appealing for information from members of the local community.
North Yorkshire Police have increased the number of patrols in an area of York where a ten-year-old boy was set on fire after being sprayed with an aerosol can by local teenagers.
The police issued this statement in response to the incident:
– Police Sergeant Ed Noble, Clifton Moor Safer Neighbourhood Team“Officers are working closely with local schools to both identify those responsible and to educate pupils about the dangers of this type of behaviour.
Extra reassurance patrols will take place in the Ashton Park area, as well as dealing robustly with anyone acting in an anti-social manner.
Importantly, we are liaising with local shopkeepers to ensure cigarette lighters, matches and accelerants such as aerosol cans do not fall into the wrong hands.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
North Yorkshire Police have released a statement following an incident where a ten-year-old boy from York was set on fire after being sprayed with an aerosol can in a park in the city.
– Police Sergeant Ed Noble, Clifton Moor Safer Neighbourhood Team in York“This is a very concerning incident which could have had serious consequences, but thankfully the boy did not suffer any injuries but was left shaken by the ordeal.
We are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident and we are appealing for information from members of the local community.
This case highlights the inherent dangers of cigarette lighters, matches and aerosols being misused. The individuals involved on this occasion can count themselves extremely lucky that nobody was harmed.
We will continue to support the victim and his family as the investigation progresses.”
10 year old Gabriel Wishart was set on fire after being sprayed with an aerosol can by teenagers at Ashton park in York. He had been playing when the group set his clothes alight.
He dropped to the floor and rolled in the snow to put out the flames and escaped unhurt. North Yorkshire Police called the incident “extremely concerning” and are stepping up patrols in the area.