A BOY of 10 needed hospital treatment after being hit in the face and across the back by a woman wielding a metal bar.

The incident happened after community tension spilled over in Luton Road, Chatham.

Police said it was being treated as racially-motivated and an investigation has been launched.

There were four women in the group of people who attacked Jake Stedman. His mother said he tried to run away but his legs collapsed beneath him.

Amanda Stedman said: "He's now too frightened to go out on his own and he has to sleep in my bed now because he's so traumatised."

* See Friday's Medway Messenger for the full story.