A GROUP OF schoolchildren from Armagh were victims of an “unprovoked” attack on Sunday, Manchester police say.

The group of 14 students from Portadown College suffered physical and verbal abuse in the car park of the Trafford Centre in the English city on Sunday. The students had suffered a range of injuries, none of which were believed to be serious.

Police say that they were called at around 9.15pm and found that the 16 and 17-year-old students, who were on a school trip, had been attacked, and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Inspector Fahar Zaman of the Trafford Division said:

This was an unprovoked attack on some young people who were visiting our city. It is disappointing that the memories they are left with will be of this brutal attack.

“We are working with the Trafford Centre to gather evidence and we are following some positive lines of enquiry to find those responsible.

“We are treating this incident very seriously and are appealing for anyone who was in the area or may have seen anything to get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, 0161 856 7655 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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