ESPERANCE Police are appealing to members of the public to come forward after two young people received serious burns at the Esperance skatepark earlier in the month.

On Sunday June 1, two 12-year old boys received serious burns after sitting on slightly damp seats at the skatepark, injuries that forced them to be hospitalised and miss school for approximately one week.

Esperance police Senior Sergeant Paul Humphries said Esperance police are currently investigating the matter and treating it with the utmost seriousness.

“We couldn’t say at this time exactly what the substance was but it appears to be a caustic liquid of some kind.” Snr Sgt Humphries said.

“It may be a skylarking prank that has resulted in some quite serious burns, and it could have had severe consequences had a much younger child sat on those seats.”

Snr Sgt Humphries said there was a range of potential charges under the criminal code that could be referred to the incident.

“I think the most obvious charge would be assault, but there are a number of others including causing an act likely to cause harm, that cover very heavy penalties.

“Given the injuries to the two victims, we could consider charging the person or persons responsible with grievous bodily harm, a charge that could carry a term of imprisonment.

“The simple fact is these acts aren’t carried out in isolation – someone, somewhere knows something about this incident, and we are appealing to these people to come forward, because it is highly likely this act was carried out in the company of more than one person, and Esperance police will get to the bottom of this.”