A teenager has reportedly been attacked by a group of boys at a popular Carlisle park.

Cumbria police confirmed they had received a report that a 13-year-old boy had been the subject of an attack from three boys of a similar age at Hammonds Pond in the city.

The incident came weeks after another attack in the same park.

A spokesman for Cumbria police said: “We were contacted at 3.28pm on May 12 to a report of an assault at Hammonds Pond, Carlisle.

“It was reported that a 13-year-old boy was assaulted by three boys of similar age."

Following the incident, a Carlisle City Council spokesman moved to reassure people.

They said: “Hammonds Pond is a safe place to visit and this type of incident is rare; however, it should be taken very seriously.

“We urge anyone with any information to contact the police on 101."

The previous attack happened only a couple of weeks ago.

Police confirmed then that they were called to a report of an assault in the park at 3.27pm on April 25, with a boy of secondary school age said to have sustained injuries to his face and to the side of his torso.

That attack was reported to have been carried out by older males, while another male intervened and was thanked by police.

Speaking after that previous attack, Councillor Reg Watson, who represents the neighbouring Currock ward on Cumbria County Council, said it demonstrated the importance of a police presence in the city.

He said: “The attack showed the need for more officers on the street.”

That was not the first time Mr Watson had called for more officers on the streets this year as in February he made similar calls after a man was assaulted and robbed on a main street in the Currock area.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 134 of May 12.