Southampton boy doesn't want to go to school after being threatened with knife

Alfie Marszall was cycling to school on Thursday morning when a teenager pulled a pen knife out and demanded his bike. 

A police investigation has since been launched with extra patrols taking place around Redbridge Community School over recent days.

But the incident has left Alfie not wanting to leave his room. 

His mum, Gemma Matthews said she is now taking him to and from school but that they were late on Friday morning because he didn't want to go. 

Alfie Marszall and mum, Gemma Matthews.

She said: "He had worry all over his face. It is horrible. He was really quiet and said he felt sick.

"He's really an emotional boy, really sensitive. When he was at school he felt there was so much going on, but when he got home it started playing on his mind. 

"His mates knocked on the door and he wouldn't go out and see them."

Gemma says that she is now "worried" the culprit will target her son again adding she'd "do anything to keep him safe". 

The mum from Coxford spoke with police on Friday and feels their presence in the area around the school is now making children feel safer. 

But despite this, the masked assailant is yet to be caught. 

READ MORE: 

• Southampton schoolboy, 12, tells of moment he was held at knifepoint
• Police appeal after knifepoint robbery outside Southampton school
• Redbridge Community School headteacher praises staff who saved pupil threatened at knifepoint

A police spokesperson told the Echo: "Officers continue to conduct enquiries around this incident, no arrests have been made at the current time.

"We’d like to thank the public for sharing our witness appeal and reiterate that anyone with information about who the boy is or where he may be can call us on 101, report online or contact Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111 quoting 44220208134."

The suspect is described as wearing a balaclava, between 15 and 16-years-old, white, of slim build and around 5ft 8ins tall.

He had been spotted riding a bike erratically in nearby Kendall Avenue and later struck out at the woman's car, breaking two lights.

Then he turned on Alfie before fleeing the area.

A letter was sent out by the school to all parents warning them of the incident. 

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