Teenage girl seriously hurt after being hit by rock while swimming off Bournemouth

Dorset Police believe the 15 year old was struck deliberately

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 26th Sep 2023

A 15-year-old girl has been left with serious injuries - including a fractured skull and face - after someone threw a rock at her off Bournemouth.

It happened as she was swimming in the sea off Southbourne beach at around 4.00pm on Monday 4th September.

Dorset Police think the rock was thrown at her deliberately and are treating the incident as an assault.

PC Hele Leech-Wilkinson, of Bournemouth CID, said:

“This incident left the young victim with nasty injuries and was understandably a very distressing experience for her.

“We have been conducting enquiries into this matter and have now spoken further with the victim and obtained additional details. I understand there were a number of other people in the vicinity at the relevant time and I am now in a position to appeal for witnesses to the incident, or anyone who may have captured relevant mobile phone footage, to please contact us.”

If you can help with information you're asked to call Dorset Police on 101, quoting reference number 55230141969.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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