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Teenagers attacked in underpass between Ashford International Station and Designer Outlet

Police are investigating after two teenagers were assaulted in a troubled underpass.

The victims were walking with their friends in Ashford when they were confronted by six or seven people.

Police are investigating after teenagers were assaulted in the underpass between Ashford International and the Designer Outlet. Picture: Paul Amos
Police are investigating after teenagers were assaulted in the underpass between Ashford International and the Designer Outlet. Picture: Paul Amos

Following a confrontation in the walkway, which runs underneath the train line between Ashford International and the Designer Outlet, two boys were then punched before the group left in the direction of the station.

No serious injuries were reported in the incident, which took place at around 3.15pm yesterday.

It is the latest in a string of incidents in the same underpass, almost exactly a month since it was taped off as part of a sexual assault investigation.

Police sealed it off for a number of hours after the attack on Sunday, June 26 and inquiries are continuing.

The dark walkway between between Station Approach and Newtown Road is set to have security lights and cameras installed in order to make it safer.

It is the latest incident to occur in the underpass
It is the latest incident to occur in the underpass

Ashford Borough Council says it is working with landowner Network Rail to install 'colour-wash ambient lighting' and CCTV.

A share of £550,000 from the Safer Streets fund will be used to pay for the upgrade, which will not be in place until early autumn.

The same fund has been used to install mirrors in alleyways across the town centre, as well as a camera in the Memorial Gardens after a bin was set alight.

The initiative has also introduced the Ashford Streetwise app which tells residents the safest routes to walk as well as 'Safe Spaces' they can go to if they need help.

Eight cameras have also been installed across various locations in the town centre as well as a CCTV camera on the stairwell in Edinburgh Road car park.

The walkway was cordoned off from both sides on June 26
The walkway was cordoned off from both sides on June 26

Enquiries into yesterday's incident are ongoing and detectives are asking any witnesses or people with knowledge of the incident to step forward.

Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/143729/22.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form on their website.

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