A nine-year-old boy was left hospitalised after being hit with a suspected air gun pellet thought to have been fired by a moped rider.
The incident happened in Newcastle City Centre on in the mid-afternoon on Saturday (July 5) afternoon when the boy was reported injured.
It is believed he was struck by a suspected pellet from an air gun fired by someone on a moped at around 3pm in the Clayton Street West area.
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The boy was taken to hospital for treatment for a minor injury and was discharged later that day but police say he and his parents have been left shaken by the incident.
A full investigation has now been launched.
Officers investigating have released pictures of two people on a moped who they would like to speak to in connection with the incident. Although they are wearing helmets, police hope someone may still recognise them or the moped they are on.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “At 3pm officers on patrol were alerted to an incident in the Clayton Street West area, where a boy had been injured after being struck by a suspected pellet from an air gun.
“We have now released a picture of two people on a moped who we would like to speak to in connection with the incident.
“While we appreciate they are wearing helmets someone still may be able to identify them or the moped they are on. We would also encourage the individuals to come forward themselves.
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“We want to make it clear that what happened is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“We would further ask anyone who saw the moped being ridden in the area at the time of the incident to get in touch.
“Any information you have, no matter how insignificant you feel it might be, could help the investigation.”
Anyone with information can contact Northumbria Police on 101 or through the ‘Tell Us Something’ section of their website quoting incident number NP-20230805-0628.
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