A terrified teenager fled a park after a gang of hooded youths threatened him with a knife.

The frightening incident happened at Faversham recreation ground on Sunday evening when 14-year-old Ashton Springett was out on his bike.

He was sat on a bench when a group of older boys approached him and asked if he was from Faversham with one of them then producing the blade.

But Ashton, who attends Canterbury High School, quickly jumped back on his bike and sped off to his home in Canterbury Road.

His angry and anxious mum Charmain said: "Like most boys, he's been a bit bored during the lockdown and just wanted to pop out on his bike for a bit.

"But he was clearly very shaken up when he came home and frightened by the ordeal.

"It was completely unprovoked because Ashton is not the sort of boy who would go looking for any kind of trouble.

"It's just not acceptable that another boy should be pulling a knife on him, or anyone for that matter."

The incident happened at around 7.30pm and Charmain, who has two older sons and works as an aesthetics nurse, immediately reported it to police when he came home.

A police spokesman said they attended the scene and then visited the family to speak to Ashton.

"Unfortunately, Ashton didn't get a good look at their faces because they all had their hoods up an he just wanted to get away as quicky as possible," said Charmain.

She posted the incident on the Faversham Residents Group Facebook page which sparked anger and sympathy from many who described it as "shocking."

"What an awful experience," wrote Geoff Simpson. "This is so traumatic for your son. Hope the culprits are caught."

Others thought they had witnessed the same 'feral' group out looking for trouble.

"They need rounding up and sent to boot camp," said Dede Day.

The police spokesman added: "Officers are investigating a report of a teenage boy having been approached by a group of young people in Faversham Recreation Ground on May 31 at around 7.30pm.

"One of the group is reported to have shown the boy a concealed knife handle before walking away. Enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing."

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