AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy was reportedly attacked and harassed by a gang of children who were filming the assault.

The schoolboy was attacked as he made his way through Elizabeth Way in Laindon at about 6pm last Thursday.

A woman, who witnessed the incident and asked not to be named, said that the boy was being chased and she felt the need to step in.

She said: “I witnessed a poor boy being chased by a gang of kids.

“I was disgusted to see them all with their phones, appearing to be filming it for entertainment so I got out of my car and confronted some of the kids.

“All I got in return was aggressive attitude from some of them.

“And then I found myself surrounded.

“They didn’t surround me for very long, they just stood and stared at me.

“I only wanted to find out if the boy was okay because he looked terrified.

“I have three boys myself and seeing that boy being chased and looking so terrified, it made me really angry and I felt like I needed to stop it somehow.”

Andrew Barnes, conservative councillor for Laindon Park, said: “Schools have a duty of care to children, whether they are inside or outside the school.

“Parents need to be aware even if an incident happened outside of school they can report it to the school so appropriate action can be taken. And police need to know about it too.

“Schools have worked hard to tackle bullying but unfortunately it still happens. A child can be bullied for many reasons, it could be what they’re wearing, or the way they look.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating following a report of an assault in Elizabeth Way, Laindon at around 6pm on Thursday, September 28.

“It was reported an 11-year-old boy had been assaulted by another boy. Investigations are ongoing.”

When asked about a gang of children, police said that they did not have any more information to release.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.