A 13-year-old boy was attacked in an Edinburgh street as a gang of youths - some riding bicycles - surrounded the child and his friend as they walked home after school rugby training.
The assault took place on Barnton Grove towards Whitehouse Road, Barnton, at around 5pm on Thursday.
Police are investigating the incident, which resulted in the boy suffering minor injuries.
In an appeal to witnesses shared on social media, one of the children's mothers claimed members of the gang blocked the boys between parked cars and a wall before 'punching her son violently' on the back of the head.
The mother said her son and his friend then made a run for it to escape.
She said: “Both boys are badly shaken and (her son) has sustained some bruising to the back of his head but didn’t need any medical intervention.
“If you saw anything at all, please can you get in touch with Police Scotland."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Enquiries are underway after a 13-year-old boy was assaulted in the Barnton area around 5pm on Thursday, 9 September, and sustained minor injuries.
“The suspects were part of a group of young people, some riding Just Eat bikes.
“Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 2508 of 9 September, or report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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