Christmas elves punched and threatened with air gun by gang

A group of performing Christmas elves have been left "traumatised" after being attacked by a gang of teenagers. The StarKidz elves were "cornered" by the gang after a Christmas lights switch-on in Formby, Merseyside on Sunday.



The performers, including one as young as 13, were abused, with one punched and another threatened with an air gun, said the troupe's manager Jan Hayes. "We may not return to Formby next year," she said. "We've been going for five years and we have never had any trouble like this.

"It started off with these teenagers trying take their hats or telling the children they are not real elves. Later on, a gang of about 20 cornered our group and one member was punched in the stomach as they were abused." Ms Hayes said the one of the performers had an air gun held to his head.



"It was a very traumatic experience," she added. "The group member is extremely upset by this." The elves have since received dozens of messages of support. A Merseyside Police spokesman said it was investigating a report of anti-social behaviour by a group of youths at the event.