UPDATE: Four teenagers arrested after girl, 12, is attacked and racially abused in Portsmouth

The incident, near to Landport Adventure Playground in Arundel Street, happened just before 5pm on Friday.

The girl was assaulted by up to four youths, both male and female.

Police say that while they punched and hit her they also shouted racial abuse.

The girl received medical treatment after the attack but was not badly injured – but was said to be left shocked and traumatised by what happened.

Detectives are now investigating the incident and are appealing for any witnesses to contact them if they haven’t already spoken to the police.

Two 16-year-old boys, one 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy were arrested today on suspicion of racially aggravated assault.

They have since been bailed until October 3 while enquiries continue.

Portsmouth City Council’s communities co-ordinator Rob Neale said the incident did not happen at the playground.

He said: We’ve been made aware that an incident took place nearby to our Adventure Playground site in Landport, however we’d like to clarify that this incident did not take place in the Landport Adventure Playground site, but on a ‘grass hump’ in the local area.

‘The safety and happiness of all children and families who visit the site is our upmost priority, and we have a zero tolerance policy to racism and bullying. ‘We’d like to assure families that their children are safe and well looked after when they visit our adventure playground sites, and that they have no cause to worry when bringing their children to enjoy our facilities.’

Anyone with information is asked to call the Eastern Investigation Team at Fratton Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.