Woman attacked by car park gang outside Cannock Leisure Centre
A woman was viciously attacked by a gang of up to 12 teenagers on the car park of a leisure centre in Staffordshire.
The 19-year-old suffered a serious hand injury and minor facial injuries outside Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock.
Staffordshire Police has launched an investigation into the attack which happened on Monday at around 6.10pm.
Staffordshire Police spokeswoman Sarah Davison said: "The suspects are a group of around 10 to 12 male and female teenagers. An investigation into the incident is underway and officers are keen to hear from witnesses."
The woman was taken to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton for treatment. It is not clear if she was a member at the leisure centre or not.
Police said today that the suspects are a group of around 10 to 12 teenagers. Cannock West Councillor Paul Snape said he was shocked to hear about the attack.
He said: "It's a shock to hear that this has happened in Cannock, never mind outside the leisure centre. Cannock is always well policed."
The centre is near to Cannock Park which has been plagued with anti-social behaviour.
CCTV cameras were installed in the park, which lies between Old Penkridge Road and the A34 Stafford Road, last year after taxpayers were forced to foot a £2,000 bill to repair a set of damaged gates.
Drinking alcohol in the park has been banned and police support officers and park wardens have been given extra training to control anti-social antics in parks across the district. District councillor Maureen Freeman was subjected to a campaign of harassment after attempting to rid the park of gangs of yobs.
She said: "This is absolutely awful news. I would appeal to anyone who may have seen anything to come forward.
"We do not want this sort of behaviour in our area. Things had began to get better in and around the park near the centre after I campaigned for security cameras but this is disgusting and really upsets me.
"I want people to feel safe using the leisure centre because it is an excellent facility and nobody should feel worried or threatened going there."
Witnesses should contact the force on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
