THREE boys have been shot at with a BB gun while playing in Exmouth.

The youngsters, aged six, 10 and 13, were playing on a green in Cheshire Road where they shot at by a man at around 7.30pm on Tuesday, July 7.

One boy was hit in the stomach and another on the hip but no one was seriously injured.

It is believed the shooter was standing in the communal area of flats in Cheshire Road. The boys were later targeted in Dinan Way opposite the bus stop in Sycamore Road.

The offender was described as being a white man, aged 18 to 20, slim to medium build with a shaved head.

He was wearing a distinctive black jacket with red panels underneath each arm. In addition, he may have been wearing a scarf over the lower part of his face.

Ian Schofield, a response officer from Exmouth police, helped track the offender on Tuesday.

He said:“If someone is out and about firing a BB gun in public, this constitutes being an offence for causing alarm, harassment or distress.

“The thing that bothers me is that young kids should be able to play out in the sun in a safe environment.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 08452 777444, quoting crime reference number KE/10/1620.