A BOY of 11 was injured when he was hit in the head by an object released from a catapult.

The victim was walking with friends along the bank of the River Medway in East Farleigh, near Maidstone, when the incident happened.

A group of boys, thought to be aged between 14 and 15 and on the opposite bank, started shouting at them.

Suddenly the victim felt a sharp pain and felt something hard hit the top of his head. He then discovered a small gash with blood coming from it.

One of his friends noticed a shot had been fired using a catapult and then took the victim to receive medical help. The boy has now recovered and is said to be fine.

PC Gabriel Chandler, who is investigating the incident which happened on August 2, said: "Often where weapons like catapults or air rifles are used it is not intended to cause serious harm and offenders rarely realise that actually these weapons have the potential to be life threatening.

"I want to send out a message to anyone using such weapons that any cases will be investigated thoroughly and the matter treated very seriously, with the possibility of offenders receiving a permanent criminal record.

"I urge any such instances where either air weapons or firearms are used to be reported to us immediately.”

Anyone with information about the river bank is asked to contact police in Mid Kent on 01622 604180 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 – this call is free and confidential.