A MAN needed hospital treatment after being assaulted as four teenagers attempted to steal a charity box in Swanage.

The incident unfolded in Shore Road at around 12.03am on Sunday, September 10 – during the Swanage Folk Festival.

Dorset Police officers attended the scene, where it was reported an altercation had taken place involving four teenagers, who had attempted to steal a charity box.

“It was reported that the charity box had been recovered but two of the teenagers had been seen in possession of knives and they had left the scene,” a spokesperson said.

“During the incident, it is reported that a man was assaulted and attended hospital for treatment.”

After searching the area, officers located a group of teenagers, who were not from Swanage.

Arrangements were made for the teenagers to be collected by their parents.

“Officers arrived at the scene within 24 minutes of the initial call to Dorset Police,” the spokesperson said.

“Where there is a crime in progress, we will endeavour to dispatch officers at the earliest available opportunity.

“However, there will be occasions when other officers in the immediate vicinity are committed with other incidents and officers have to travel to attend.

“On this occasion, officers were committed elsewhere in the Swanage area and the nearest available officers had to travel a distance to arrive, which they did as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, an investigation into the incident is ongoing and police are keen to speak with witnesses, particularly if they have mobile phone footage or other CCTV covering the incident.

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55230143439. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.