THREE teenage boys hit an 84-year-old man with a pole after targeting an elderly in a wheelchair, police have revealed.

The group took hold of the woman's wheelchair, spun her around and verbally abused her in a sickening incident outside Asda in West Quay Road, Poole.

They then went on to carry out an unprovoked attack on the man in which they kicked him in the leg from behind and struck him with a pole.

Officers in Poole have now appealed for the victim of the first incident to come forward and have asked for witnesses to contact them urgently.

The first incident took place outside Asda in West Quay Road at 10.30am on Monday October 26, then the second outside the Market Gallery in a service road at about 5.30pm. The elderly man did not sustain any physical injuries.

Police Constable Julie Payne, of Poole police, said: "Following initial enquiries into the second incident the first incident has now only recently come to light.

"I am appealing to the victim of the first incident to come forward to enable me to continue with my investigation into both occurrences as I believe they are both linked.

"I would also appeal to anyone who may have witnessed either incident to contact me, in confidence, on 101."

The three teenage boys have been identified and so far no arrests have been made.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 26:79. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.