Police investigating teen swarming assault in north London, appealing for witnesses

London police are investigating a late-night assault involving a group of masked teens in the city's north end last week. They are asking the public to come forward with any information or video that could help identify the suspects.

The incident happened just before midnight on Friday, June 20, near South Wenige Drive and Rollingacres Place.

According to police, two teenage boys were walking in the area between 11:30 p.m. and 12 a.m. when they noticed two vehicles following them. As they approached a nearby park, a male got out of one of the vehicles and called the boys over.

"The boys ran away from the vehicles but were stopped a short distance away by approximately six teenaged males, who proceeded to assault one of the male victims, pinning him on the ground," said Sgt. Sandasha Bough, in a media release issued Friday afternoon.

"One of the suspects was holding what appeared to be a knife at the time of the incident. The suspects approached the other male, who attempted to defend himself while being assaulted by all six suspects."

The suspects then fled the area in two vehicles described as a dark-coloured Honda CR-V and a smaller sedan of unknown colour.

Investigators are asking anyone with dashcam, cellphone or home surveillance footage from the area that night to come forward. The investigation has been assigned to the London Police Service Hate Crime Unit, with support from patrol investigators. Officers are working to determine whether the assault was hate-motivated and whether the suspects knew the victims.

Anyone with information is being asked to call London police or Crime Stoppers. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online.