Lancashire Police update on shocking Chorley playground hate crime after second boy identified
Police have spoken to a second 11-year-old boy about the hate crime...
A second 11-year-old boy wanted by police after a shocking hate crime against a young child on a Chorley playground has been identified.
The incident occurred at around 5pm on Sunday (September 5) at Harpers Lane Recreation Ground, where a six-year-old boy was approached by two older boys.
The pair were reportedly carrying red and black permanent markers and tricked the youngster, writing the N-word on his forehead and arm. A slide in the play area was also graffitied with an offensive word.
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The child’s mum was horrified and reported the incident to Lancashire Police, who issued a statement saying they were treating the incident “extremely seriously”.
The force said officers visited local schools this week, and conducted door-to-door enquiries, as part of their efforts to identify the two boys.
Following enquiries, an 11-year-old boy was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of racially aggravated assault and criminal damage. He has since been bailed.
The force today confirmed that a second 11-year-old boy has since been identified. He was interviewed on Wednesday and enquiries are ongoing.
Latest from police
A police spokesperson said: "We know many of you have been shocked by the incident in Chorley last weekend and we wanted to give you the latest update.
"As a reminder we were called at 6.28pm on Saturday (September 5th) to a report of racially aggravated assault on Harpers Recreation Ground, Harpers Lane,
"A six-year-old boy who was playing in the park had been approached by two older children and that a racist word had been written on his forehead and arm with a marker pen. A slide in the play area was also graffitied with an offensive word. The boy and his family continue to be supported.
"Following enquiries, we earlier this week arrested an 11-year-old boy on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage and racially aggravated assault. He has since been bailed.
"And on Wednesday we also interviewed a second 11-year-old about the incident.
"Enquiries are continuing.
"If you were in the park on Saturday afternoon and saw what happened or have information, please contact 101 – quoting log 1021 of September 5.
"You can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."