A boy has been left injured and “shaken up” after riding his bike into a wire hung across a footpath at neck level near Bicester.

The 11-year-old Heyford Park pupil was cycling back from his scouts club when he cycled into the wire pulled across East Castle Street outside his school at around 9.30pm on Monday (February 5).

Pictures show cuts on his neck with Thames Valley Police saying it is conducting a thorough investigation which includes obtaining and reviewing CCTV footage.

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Oxford Mail: Boy suffers neck injuries from wire tied across footpath

His dad Corin Earland said: “He rode straight into it cutting across his neck and causing him to fall backwards off his bike.

"Fortunately, he was wearing his helmet correctly so that took the brunt of the fall damage.

“He is a very shaken-up 11-year-old boy.

“We do feel it was a deliberate act set out to cause serious harm.”

The wire has now been removed but Mr Earland has questioned developers Dorchester Living on a “growing trend” of anti-social behaviour in the area.

Oxford Mail: The wire that was tied across footpath

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He continued: “Why would someone do this? It could have caused a very serious injury if it had been anchored better.

“Also, how is it acceptable for Dorchester Living to leave buildings in such a dangerous state?

“Unfortunately it's a growing trend of anti-social behaviour in the area.

"The developers Dorchester Living are aware but seem unwilling to provide any provisions for teenagers. There was a youth club building a few years back but that has been knocked down and no alternative space provided. “

A Dorchester Living spokesman described it as an act of vandalism with “malicious intent” before adding that incidents of this nature are "very rare”.

Oxford Mail: Wire tied across footpath in Heyford Park

The spokesman said: “We are very concerned by this act of anti-social behaviour which is now being investigated by the police.

“We have been in contact with the child’s family concerning their welfare.

“The health and safety of residents and staff has and always will be our number one priority.

“We want to assure the residents of Heyford Park that this incident was not a result of building contractors leaving the area in an unsafe manner, but due to an act of vandalism seemingly by persons with malicious intent, and we are supporting the police with their investigation.

“We have invested in and improved facilities considerably since our ownership.

"We have spent in excess of £30m on new facilities including play areas, sports pitches, a bowling alley, indoor sports hall, indoor performance drama studio, IT and art rooms, as well as building a new all-through school to provide children of all ages with activities for advancing themselves and socialising across Heyford Park.

"Further provisions will come forward as Heyford Park continues to grow.

“We very much hope the child affected by the incident recovers quickly and will work tirelessly with parent groups, local schools and other community groups to help reduce the risk of any repeat incident. “

Thames Valley Police said anyone with information about this incident should contact the force on 101 or make a report online, quoting 43240057495.