DETECTIVES are investigating an incident in Port Glasgow after a teenager was found with 'serious injuries' in the early hours on Monday morning.
The 16-year-old boy was found in the King Street area of the town at around 4.20am, sparking the prolonged closure of town centre streets.
A resident told the Greenock Telegraph that locals were woken at around 4am by the sound of 'banging and screaming' and what appeared to be a 'baseball bat hitting doors'.
The Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed to they rushed the patient to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment.
Chief Inspector David Doherty, Area Commander for Inverclyde, said: “At around 4.20am on Monday, September 21 police received a report of a 16-year-old male found with serious injuries in the King Street area of Port Glasgow.
“Emergency services attended and he was taken to hospital for treatment. Enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing."
Police did not provide any further information on the nature of the incident, but an appeal for witnesses was made.
Chief Inspector David Doherty added: “Anyone with information, possible CCTV or dashcam footage from the area is urged to contact police on 101, quoting incident 0369 of 21 September.
"Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”
Three fire appliances and a high reach vehicle were sent to the area to assist the other emergency services. Its crews left at about 5.15am.
Police shut off access to a large section of King Street and Church Street, between King Street and Fore Street, during the day on Monday.
Detectives were spotted at the scene with evidence bags.
Access to some businesses was restricted, for example Duncan Craft Butcher confirmed online that was closed and apologised for the inconvenience caused to shoppers.
Businesses further from the Church Street/King Street junction, such as David Wyse opticians and Greggs, remained open despite the police presence.
A frustrated local said they couldn't access their car all day due to the police cordon.
A women told the Tele: “The police won't let us in and they say the car can't go in or out and we have to go down to the hospital today to visit somebody, so we're a bit stuck.
“I have not been able to get it since this morning. We just asked them again and there’s no update on when we’ll be able to get it.
“The car is just right at the end of the street. I don't know why they can't just get it out."
She added that problems are so frequent on the street they no longer phase the locals.
She said: “We’re used to it. The police are out every single night basically. It's just common now, happening all the time.”
Port Glasgow Salvation Army Church, which is situated on King Street, posted on its social media page: "We at Port Glasgow Salvation Army are incredibly upset to hear of such an attack, especially in our community.
"We ask that everyone keep those involved in their prayers.
"Our number one priority is that our community can be a safe place; an incident like this goes against everything that we and the people of Port Glasgow care about.
"Please pray for the victim and their loved ones, for those involved in the investigation, and that the perpetrator may see the harm they have caused and endeavour to seek forgiveness and reconciliation."
