POLICE are hunting three teenagers who left a 12-year-old missing a tooth and badly bruised in an unprovoked attack in broad daylight.

The assault happened at the Newmarket College playing fields in Exning Road, Newmarket, between 5.20pm and 5.40pm last Thursday.

Police, who are urging anybody who saw what happened or who knows those responsible to come forward, say the 12-year-old victim had done nothing to provoke the attack by three older boys.

A spokeswoman for the police told how the victim was walking near the wooded area at the top of the field when he was approached by the three older boys.

The trio started by being verbally abusive to him, she said. But that quickly led to an assault on him by two of the teenagers.

As a result of the attack, the 12-year-old sustained bruising and lost a tooth.

The trio ran off towards Windsor Road after the assault.

Describing the attackers, the police spokeswoman said: “The first youth is described as white, around 18 years old, of slim build, 5ft 3in tall, with long blond hair and was wearing a white hooded top, green trainers and a silver watch.

“The second youth is described white, around 16 or 17 years old, 4ft 11in tall, of “chubby” build with short shaved hair and was wearing a black hooded top and black skinny jeans.

The third youth, who did not assault the boy, was white, around 15 or 16 years old, 5ft 3in tall, of slim, muscular build and was wearing a white hooded top and blue baggy jeans.”

Anyone with information should contact Pc Neil Van Holland at Mildenhall Police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.