Man, 18, assaulted in Waterlooville after stopping youths setting a tree on fire

Police are appealing for witnesses of the incident which happened on Hazleton Common on Thursday, November 17.

The victim, an 18-year-old man, was walking his dog in the nature reserve between 3.30pm and 4.30pm when he came across two male youths trying to set fire to a tree.

When the victim told them to stop, one of the youths assaulted him before they both ran off.

The victim received minor cuts to his hands.

The first male was white, 17-years-old, slim and around 5ft 10ins. He was wearing a grey hooded top with the hood up, grey baggy tracksuit bottoms and black Nike Huarache trainers.

The second male was also white, 17 to 18-years-old, slim, around 5ft 10ins with dark hair. He was wearing a black hooded top, very dark blue jeans and black trainers.

A police spokesman said: ‘We would like to hear from anyone who has information on what took place or anyone who recognises the two males from the descriptions given.

‘We would also like to hear from a woman who was walking two dogs at the time, who told the victim that two teenagers had run at her.’

Anyone with information should call PC Kate Adlem at Fratton CID on 101, quoting 44160434689.