Teenage girl injured by rock thrown at her while she swam in sea

A TEENAGE girl suffered a fractured skull after a rock was thrown at her while swimming in the sea.

A 15-year-old girl was swimming off Southbourne beach earlier this month when she was hit by a rock thrown in her direction.

Police say she suffered a fractured skill and facial fractures as a result of the assault.

Officers are now asking for witnesses or anybody with information to come forward as part of their investigation into the incident, which happened at around 4pm on Monday, September 4.

Police Constable 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.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230141969.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.