A father has told how his 12-year-old son is “too frightened to go outside” after being attacked by older boys, who said they would have stabbed him if he was not so young.

The schoolboy, who wishes to remain anonymous, told his father how he was attacked at the skate park near Hove Lagoon at around 5.35pm on Tuesday.

He said he had complimented his friend on his skateboarding technique when another older boy suggested he was talking about him.

The older boy then told the 12- year-old he wanted to shake his hand but went on to punch him in the face.

The boy’s father said he was eager for any witnesses to get in touch with police.

The 55-year-old, who lives in Hove and owns a business in Brighton, said: “My son is really shaken up.

“He has now said he does not want to go outside and after it happened he ended up sleeping in our bed. He is such a sweet boy and it is such an awful thing to happen.

“The boy asked how old he was. He told them 12 and he responded, ‘Any older and I would stab you’. He was truly terrified.”

The boy’s mother added: “His face is very swollen and tender.

“He seemed utterly petrified.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “A 12-year-old boy was approached by a group consist- ing of two boys and two girls near the skate park at Hove Lagoon, Kingsway, Hove. 

"During a brief conversation one of the boys in the group punched the 12-year-old in the face. The group then made off.

“The suspected assailant was white, 4ft 8ins and aged 13 to 14. He was wearing a grey hooded top and Eastpack pouch. He had short brown hair and a pierced left ear. The victim was not seriously hurt but was left shaken.”

Anyone who saw what hap- pened or who may have other information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, quoting serial 1151 of 18/3.