SCHOOLKIDS have assaulted a police officer leaving a cut above their eye in part of a spate of antisocial behaviour.

Hedge End Police have reported an assault on one of their Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) Police Officers on March 16 opposite Wildern School in Hedge End.

Officers have reported a "very small minority" of young people gathering in and around the ‘Stoney Path’ entrance to Wildern Nature Reserve opposite the school on Wildern Lane.

The group include children who do attend the school and some who do not attend the school.

During a routine patrol of the area, an officer was assaulted by the children causing a cut above their eye.

Two teenagers were approached by the officer after it was alleged that one of the had committed a public order offence. 

An altercation broke out between one of the teens and the officer which resulted in the officer being assaulted.

A 15-year-old boy from Botley was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty.

He was later released under investigation.  

Police have also reported antisocial behaviour including littering, intruding on neighbouring properties, gathering in such a way as to block the area for anyone else wanting to walk through, and using foul and abusive language in public.

Concerns have also been raised over the use of drugs and drug involvement.

In a post on social media, PCSO Mica Woodcock said: "Please be reassured this is due to a very small minority of young people gathering in and around the ‘Stoney Path’ entrance to Wildern Nature Reserve opposite the school on Wildern Lane, some of whom have behaved antisocially and committed criminal offences.

"Yesterday during a routine patrol of the area, one of our Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) Police Officers was assaulted in the entrance to ‘Stoney Path’ opposite the school, resulting in a cut above their eye."

They added: "Some of the young people may not be directly committing criminal offences, however they are very happy to stand in the group and give an audience to their friends who are behaving antisocially and or committing criminal offences.

"Please be advised - we will not put up with young people providing false details to police, swearing in public and outside the schools, where families and young children can very easily hear this, or assaulting our officers. These criminal offences will be dealt with robustly.

"Please be mindful that this is a very small minority of the young people in the area and some of whom do not attend Wildern School."

A spokesperson from Hampshire Constabulary said: "Officers were on routine patrol on Wildern Lane just before 3.30pm on Wednesday 16 March and approached two teenagers, after it is alleged that one of them had committed a public order offence.

"An altercation ensued between one of the teenagers and an officer during discussions about the incident, resulting in an officer being assaulted and receiving a laceration about the eye.

"A 15-year-old boy from Botley was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty.

"He was later released under investigation."

The Daily Echo has contacted Wildern School for a comment on the incident.