YOBS smeared dog excrement on a schoolboy during a gang attack.

The unprovoked ordeal has left the 12-year-old victim terrified of walking to school on his own.

He was attacked from behind by four or five youths as he walked home from Hamble Sports College.

The youngster was in Mallards Road in Bursledon at around 3.30pm when one of the attackers covered his eyes while another held his arms behind his back.

A third youth pulled the boy's trousers down and another smeared dog excrement over his lower body.

The degrading assault lasted for around a minute before the attackers eventually ran off.

"This is a terrible incident and although the boy wasn't injured, he suffered an horrific and humiliating ordeal," said PC Andrew Venning, who added that patrols were being stepped up.

The offenders are all described as being between 16 and 18 years and approximately 5ft 7in. They were wearing hoodies and tracksuit bottoms, all grey in colour.

One of the offenders was wearing a blue motorbike crash helmet which had red, blue and black flames on the side. There did not appear to be a moped or motorcycle with him at the time of the attack.

Anyone with any information about the attack last Tuesday can call PC Venning at Eastleigh police station on 0845 0454 545.