Five youths who surrounded a dog walker in Harborough's Welland Park may have been trying to steal the dog

Five youths who surrounded a dog walker and his family in a popular Market Harborough park and hurled eggs at them are being hunted by police.

Trouble flared when the young men targeted the group and started talking to them about their pet near the Rose Garden in Welland Park at night.

The incident happened at about 8.40pm on Sunday December 27.

The dog owner, who didn't want to be named, said: “It was evident their intent was on stealing my dog.

“They threw eggs at us and verbally abused us – and tried to encircle us.

“I am putting this out there because I want to urge people to stay vigilant and not to tolerate such intimidation.”

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: “A group of youths approached some dog walkers and initially engaged them in conversation about their dog before having an argument and throwing an egg at one of the victims.

“The victim wasn’t injured.

“Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact 101, quoting crime number 20*682832.”