A 12-year-old has been taken to hospital after being attacked by a group of teenagers.
The boy was walking along Ferry Road Place in Edinburgh at around 7pm on Monday when six or seven teenagers walked up to him and attacked him.
The young victim managed to escape the group and got help from a shopkeeper at a nearby store.
He was left with injuries to his face and torso and was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment. He has since been discharged.
The teenagers are described as male, white and wearing hooded tops.
Sergeant David Happs said: "This was an unprovoked assault on a young boy and a terrifying experience for him. Fortunately he was able to flee his attackers and sought assistance at a nearby shop.
"We are conducting various lines of local enquiries to identify those responsible and will have a high-visibility police presence in the area to offer reassurance to the local community.
"Anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area on Monday evening is asked to contact police immediately."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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