POLICE are appealing for information after two men were wounded by a group of youths firing an air rifle in Melksham's King George Playing Fields on Wednesday (August 3).

At around 11.30pm, a 24-year-old man sustained a small puncture wound to his leg as a result of being hit by what is believed to have been an air rifle.

Just five minutres later, a 47-year-old man was strolling through the park with his wife when he also sustained a small puncture wound to his leg - neither of the two men needed hospital treatment.

Three youths were seen to run from the park towards Ruskin Avenue around the time of the incident. They were all dressed in dark clothing.

Sergeant Kane Fulbrook-Smith said: “Police officers attended the scene alongside a dog unit as soon as we received these reports and extensive searches were carried out, but unfortunately we were unable to locate the suspects.

“We are really keen to hear from anyone who may have information in relation to these two incidents – did you see or hear any suspicious activity between 11.30pm and 11.45pm yesterday evening? Any information you have, no matter how small, may be crucial to our investigation.

“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw three people running from the area around this time.

“I’d like to reassure members of the community that we are carrying out a thorough investigation into these incidents. We have increased patrols in the area and house to house enquiries are being carried out.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.