25/07/2008

Woman Slashed Over Cigarette By Boy, 10

A woman suffered a knife attack after refusing to give a 10-year-old boy a cigarette.

The woman, in her 50s, was confronted by two young boys outside Selhurst railway station, in south London on Wednesday.

One of the youngsters tried to grab a lit cigarette from her mouth and when she shouted at them he slashed her arm.

Witnesses rushed to the woman's aid as she bled heavily from the wound, which police believe was inflicted by a craft knife or razor.

An ambulance took the woman to Mayday Hospital for treatment.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the boys had been described as black and about 10-years old.

He said: "We are investigating an assault on a woman that occurred at around 2.20pm on Wednesday July 23 outside Selhurst railway station".

A police source told a local paper that "the cut didn't go right to the bone" but "it was still a pretty deep cut and the woman was left in deep shock".

Jason Grant, District Manager for Thornton Heath and Selhurst said "it is very concerning to think of kids as young as this brazenly approaching a woman in broad daylight and using a knife on her over a cigarette".

"The area surrounding the station is very isolated, which is a problem," he added.

Officers are studying CCTV from the station and have taken statements from witnesses.

Any with information is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(DS)

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