Police say they have dropped an investigation into an alleged racist attack on a teenage refugee.

The incident is believed to have happened in Ashford High Street at the end of April, when a 17-year-old boy reported being knocked unconscious and losing several teeth after being attacked.

According to The Independent the gang stabbed the boy in the face, swore at him and told him they “hate black people”.

But despite the attack leaving the boy with serious scarring, the police say they have not been able to identify the attackers due to a “lack of descriptions and witnesses”.

The boy, originally from Eritrea, has reported seeing the group in the High Street since the attack, but after police carried out a search they were not able to find those responsible.

According to The Independent, the boy was instead advised not to go out alone at night. An email states: “It looks like due to a lack of descriptions and witnesses that it will not be possible to investigate it further.

“Sad to say it is probably unwise to be out alone at that time of night.”

The police have said that all lines of enquiry have been exhausted and that the case has been filed, pending further information.

The police say there were no reports of any weapons being used, no clear description of the attackers and no independent witnesses in the case.