Police officer hospitalised after being kicked in the head by a 14-year-old boy in Blackpool

Police had been responding to reports of anti-social behaviour in the Gorton Street/Milbourne Street area on Monday evening (June 8) when he was attacked by the youth.

The officer lost consciousness after being kicked in the head and had to be rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for treatment.

He has since been discharged and is continuing his recovery at home.

A 14-year-old boy was later arrested on suspicion of assault and has since been charged and remanded to court today (June 10).

Police have ramped up patrols in the area, where more than 100 incidents have been reported in recent weeks. It believes the same small group of individuals are responsible for the spate of violence and criminal damage which has plagued the area.

The force said it will now use "all the powers available to us to target this group and we will put offenders before the courts".

Inspector David Wilson said: "You may have noticed an increased police presence in the last few weeks in the Milbourne Street / Gorton Street area of Blackpool, including neighbourhood officers, plain-clothed officers and mounted officers.

"This is in response to concerns around anti-social behaviour, which we are taking seriously and we will proactively target those responsible.

"Over the last few months a small group of individuals have been responsible for over 100 incidents of nuisance, criminal damage and assault, culminating in a police officer being kicked in the head and losing consciousness on Monday evening after responding to a report of vandalism.

"The officer has been released from hospital and is recovering at home.

"We have worked tirelessly with partners in the council and the parents of these youngsters in an effort to avoid unnecessarily criminalising these individuals, but unfortunately this approach has not borne fruit, and the local community will be protected from their behaviour.

"We will use all the powers available to us to target this group and we will put offenders before the courts.

"I would ask the parents of these individuals to take responsibility for their children and work with us to make the area a safer place to live and work.

"If any members of the community have any information about issues in that area, or indeed any other area of Blackpool, my team can be contacted on [email protected]"