Mum in security plea for park after '˜attack'

Lucas Worthington, 14, was playing in Jean Stansfield Park in Poulton with his sister Sophia, nine, at around 6pm on May 14 when he was reportedly punched in the face by another teenager, police have said.

Now his mum Lynette, 45, has called for extra CCTV cameras to be installed at the park in the hope of protecting her children.

She said: “I said they could go to the park while I was making the dinner.

“About 10 minutes later my daughter was screaming at the front door, saying that Lucas was being beaten up.

“I ran out and I saw three boys running off.

“My daughter was screaming. She was petrified. It was the first time I have ever let her go out with Lucas on their own and it was only because I was sat in the front garden nearby.”

Lynette, who lives on Hayfield Avenue, said that her son was targeted by the boys because he had witnessed them making fun of two young girls and had ordered them to stop.

She said: “He has got a mark on his face and his jaw was a bit sore.

“A few times I have seen kids fighting in the park and I have heard about kids being threatened. Something needs to be done.

“I should be able to let my children go out and play, and they should be allowed to use their park for what it’s supposed to be used for.

“There has to be CCTV or a police patrol put in place or somebody is going to get really hurt.”

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “At about 6pm on May 14, a 14-year-old boy was in the park. He was surrounded by a group of young people, and one of them has punched him in the face.

“No arrests have been made. Inquiries are ongoing.”

A Wyre council spokesman said: “Wyre Council will assist the police in their enquiries in regards of this incident.

“There is a currently CCTV camera in operation at Jeans Stansfield park which covers the park but certain areas are hidden by trees.”