A joint probe has been launched amid allegations of a child assault at an Angus swimming pool.
Angus Council and Tayside Police are investigating claims that a 14-year-old boy was targeted by a group of five youths during an inflatables session at Montrose swimming pool.
A woman, who asked not to be named, said her children were ”terrified within an inch of their lives” and claimed similar incidents had occurred during the same session on two previous weekends.
She said her son had received an apology from leisure staff and a free swim after he was ”punched” through a curtain in the changing area, and claimed the behaviour only stopped when a manager came on duty.
It is understood the complaints centre on the same group of boys and Angus Council’s handling of the pool’s supervision arrangements has now been called into question.
A spokeswoman said: ”Tayside Police can confirm that the incident has been reported and is currently under investigation.”
Parents have claimed the youths were swearing, pushing younger children and acting in an aggressive manner.
A spokeswoman for the local authority confirmed the matter is being investigated.
She added: ”We want everyone who visits our pools and sports centres to have an enjoyable experience and we will not tolerate any bad behaviour, whether physical or verbal, which spoils the sessions for other people.
”Anyone experiencing or witnessing unacceptable behaviour should contact a member of staff immediately.
”Following a complaint being made about the behaviour of some youths at Montrose pool on Saturday afternoon our staff immediately spoke to the youths concerned.
”The matter was subsequently reported to the police and we are assisting them with their inquiries.
”While the council and police enquiries continue the youths concerned will only be allowed to use the pool under the supervision of an adult.”
The woman who reported the assault to the police said other parents had also come forward to raise their fears that a child could be seriously injured.
She said lifeguards should have been aware of what was going on, and claimed her own children are now refusing to go back to the pool.