A teenage girl sustained a head injury when she was assaulted during a mass gathering in the East Wight last night (Friday).
Police were called at 21:47 to reports of an assault at a large gathering at Priory Bay beach, between St Helens and Seaview.
Numerous officers were deployed to the scene, alongside the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and HM Coastguard.
Island Echo is told that up to around 200 youths were in attendance at the gathering on the secluded beach near Nettlestone, with individuals also in the grounds of the former Priory Bay Hotel.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary says that the teenage girl – who was stretchered from the beach – was taken to St Mary’s Hospital. After being assessed and treated, she was discharged.
It’s thought she was knocked unconscious after suffering a blow to the head.
Police say investigations into the alleged assault are ongoing.
No arrests have been made.
Wishing the girl all the best and hope she recovers quickly.
As someone who spent their teens at similar gatherings, it’s such a shame something like this happened and could potentially lead to more gatherings that cause no harm being shut down.
Teenagers will also want to party in areas like this, it’s pretty much a right of passage when growing up. But if young people begin to feel unsafe they will avoid it.
I wish there was more funding for activities for teens everywhere in the UK, but particularly the island. There’s so many free/low cost things for younger kids but very little for the 13-17 year olds.
When we were youngsters we had a lot of freedom and, as you say, this sort of gathering was a rite of passage. But along with that freeedom, we also learned to look out for one another and also to be a bit more streetwise and alert to dangers. Young people today are more vulnerable for having less freedom and it would be further counter-productive to stop this sort of gathering. They just need to learn that with freedoms and rights go responsibilities. Let’s hope the girl is OK and just learns to be a bit more aware of her surroundings rather than put off going out.
I am astounded that you are blaming the girl in this situation and saying she should be more aware of her surroundings! Yet you have said nothing about the person who assaulted her! Please do not victim blame.
I am afraid that it’s already to late for that, since priti patel has made it illegal for anyone to have parties anymore. More than 25 people attending any party is deemed to be against the law. With a £10.000 fine for the organisers and confliscation of the equipment… so sad, it would seem that the youth of today are not allowed to enjoy themselves as we did. Because the government says so.
this should be a name and shame how could anyone do that to someone
Sadly many persons don’t respect one and other
anymore.
The world is changing, not for the better.