POLICE are investigating two separate attacks in Poole that involved youths targeting adults in the space of around five hours.

A staff member at the One Stop store in Melbury Avenue was assaulted by a group of youngsters on Wednesday afternoon.

It was reported that he confronted them outside the shop at around 4pm after he witnessed one of them take a bottle of coke from a shelf, place it in his pocket and attempt to make off without paying

However, the other members of the group assaulted the store employee, leaving him with a cut to his nose and other injuries.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “Officers attended and carried out a search of the area but the offenders were not located. Enquiries are ongoing to identify them.”

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting occurrence number 55200014794.

Meanwhile, later in the evening police were called to a disturbance involving a group of teenagers running after a man and a woman on Seldown Bridge in the town centre.

The man and woman reported that they had been punched to the face. The man was taken to hospital for treatment to a cut to his forehead. The woman did not require hospital treatment.

The police spokesperson said: “It was reported that the group of teenagers had gone in the direction of Poole bus station.”

A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and he is assisting officers with their enquiries.

Police do not believe the two incidents are linked in any way.

As reported, officers have been working to stem the flow of antisocial behaviour at the bus station.

Police were keen to stress that the assault on Wednesday night did not take place at the bus station.

Addressing what is being done to tackle issues at and around the transport hub, Inspector Adrian Thompson, of Poole police, said: “Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team are aware of this latest reported incident linked to the area around the bus station.

“We continue our efforts to engage with the local community, staff at the bus station, the Dolphin Centre, traders and key partners via daily contact and high profile proactive patrols.

“As part of Operation Nightwatch, patrols are carried out at Poole nighttime economy ASB hotspot areas to prevent and minimise public place violence.

“Officers taking part in these patrols can be approached by anyone with concerns.”