TWO teenage boys, both aged 13, have been arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault in connection with an incident of hate crime towards a 14-year-old girl in Huddersfield.

Officers are continuing investigations after receiving a report on Thursday morning of a serious assault on the girl on Fernside Park ,off Southfield Road, on Wednesday evening.

The incident is reported to have begun at about 6.30pm on August 11 after the victim was subject to abuse by a group of teenagers present.

She was assaulted and left the area with friends but was then further assaulted shortly afterwards after she re-entered the park.

The victim suffered serious leg and hand injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Due to the nature of comments made by the group, the matter is being treated as a hate crime.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the serious assault on a teenage victim.

DCI Tanya Wilkins of Kirklees Police, said: “A full investigation remains ongoing into what has been a serious assault on a young victim.

“Suspects have been arrested and NPT officers have been conducting reassurance patrols in the Southfield Road area this afternoon.

“I want to reassure residents that reports of hate crime are taken extremely seriously by Kirklees Police as they are in the rest of the force and are always thoroughly investigated.

“We would ask anyone present in the park or Southfield Road area who saw what happened or has information to contact Kirklees CID on 101 referencing crime number 13210407498.

“Information can also be given online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat  or anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”