AN 11-year-old boy was assaulted and verbally abused in what police are treating as a racially motivated attack in a Somerset town.

The victim was punched in the head and kicked to the ground while suffering racist abuse.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident in Moorland Way, Bridgwater, on Suday, October 6, at about 8pm.

The incident was reported to police a week later.

PC Jennifer Atkinson said: “This is a worrying incident in which a young boy has been attacked and verbally abused.

"We’re treating this as a hate crime due to the words used by the offender during the attack.

“The victim suffered bruising but thankfully no serious injuries.

"We’ve referred him to our Lighthouse Safeguarding Unit, so we can make sure that he and his family get all the help and support they need as the criminal investigation progresses.

“This happened in a residential area in the early evening so we’d ask anyone who saw all or part of this assault to come forward.”

If you can help, call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5219237409.

You can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800-555111 or via the charity's anonymous online form.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers.