Dorset Police appeal for witnesses after child approached by two men carrying knife

Dorset Police officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a young girl was approached by two men carrying a knife in Bournemouth.

At about 6pm on Saturday 21 January 2023 a 14-year-old girl was walking through an underpass at the Station Roundabout near to Asda, when she was approached by two men.

One of the men held a knife out toward the child, who was wearing headphones and could not hear if anything was said.

After seeing the knife the victim fled the scene in the direction of Holdenhurst Road.

The knife is described as a retractable workman’s knife.

The man with the knife is described as white, around five feet six inches tall and of medium build with blond hair. He was wearing a black Puffa-style coat and a beanie hat.

The other man is described as white and around six feet tall. He was wearing a long, black coat with a hood that was up.

Police Constable Jake Chester, of Bournemouth police, said: “This must have been a distressing incident for the girl involved and we are carrying out a number of enquiries to identify the men who were responsible.

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area of the underpass around the time of the incident to please get in touch.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who was driving in the vicinity and may have captured anything of relevance on dashcam footage.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101, quoting the number 55230010807.

Independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online or by calling 0800 555 111.