A CHILD was injured after being pulled to the ground by an unknown male while retrieving a football in Gillingham.

At approximately 3.30pm on Monday, July 25, the victim – a 10-year-old boy – was playing with a family member in the football cage at the RiversMeet Leisure Centre in Hardings Lane when he kicked a ball out of the area.

As the boy went to retrieve his ball, it is reported he was grabbed on the back of his t-shirt by an unknown man and pulled to the floor. He sustained cuts and grazes to his back.

It is reported the offender was then disrupted, and the victim managed to run away.

The offender is described as a white man, aged in his 30s, approximately six feet tall and of medium build. He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms and a black hooded top.

Officers investigating the reported assaulted are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

Police Constable Neil Hawkes, of North Dorset police, said: “This was an unprovoked assault on a young boy who was enjoying a kick-about with family, and we are keen to identify the person responsible.

“I would like to reassure the community that we are continuing to investigate this incident and I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened, or recognises the man from the description given, to please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220120364.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.