A GERMAN exchange student was stamped on during a violent gang attack in Bournemouth town centre.

CCTV footage has been released as part the ongoing investigation into the assault, during which the 17-year-old victim was punched and kicked several times before being stamped on.

The 17-year-old, who was staying in Poole as part of the exchange programme at the time, was reportedly attacked by a group of people in Bournemouth's Lower Gardens in December, last year.

However, Dorset Police, who have already made several arrests in the case, have only just released the CCTV images.

Police Constable Evelyn Hoslett, said: “We are continuing to investigate this matter and there are still a number of people we have identified from CCTV enquiries who we are keen to speak to.

“I appreciate this incident was some time ago and some of the images are not great quality, but we owe it to the victim to explore every line of enquiry available to us and I would urge anyone with information as to the identity of any of the individuals pictured to please contact us."

The attack took place in the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, around 7.45pm on Friday, December 18, which was the last Friday before Christmas Day. The victim did not sustain serious injuries.

Following enquiries four teenagers – two boys aged 15 and 16 from Bournemouth, a 17-year-old girl from Bournemouth and a 17-year-old girl from Poole – were arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and have been released under investigation.

An 18-year-old Christchurch man has also attended for a voluntary police interview and has also been released under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200190506.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.