AN MP was allegedly punched by youths after confronting them about playing football in a shopping precinct.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood was spotted staggering and “in a state of shock” in Roumelia Lane in Boscombe after the confrontation with teenagers on Saturday.

The Conservative MP was walking through Boscombe when he encountered a group of youths with a football.

It is thought two people asked them to stop before the 42-year-old Conservative MP stepped in.

Witnesses said he had the ball thrown at his face at close range.

Mr Ellwood was said to have tried to take photos of them on his mobile phone before he was allegedly punched several times to the head and face.

Witnesses said Mr Ellwood looked “dazed” after the incident at around 12.45pm.

Several police and a van arrived shortly afterwards, and a youth was spoken to at the scene.

Mr Ellwood went to hospital with minor head injuries and a swollen ear which has temporarily damaged his hearing.

Passer-by Fiona Dougherty-Price, an NHS governor, saw Mr Ellwood straight after the alleged attack.

She said: “He was in a state of shock and he was staggering and looked really dazed. Then police suddenly pulled up in a van. They didn’t know he was an MP and said ‘Who are you, sir?’

“They asked him if he was all right and he said ‘No, I’m not all right. I’ve been punched in the head’. He looked like he had concussion. The boys were sitting laughing like it was a big joke.

“There was a lady in a car and he (Mr Ellwood) was saying ‘Don’t drive off’. He was trying to appeal for witnesses. He then left and walked off.”

Gary Sherborne, project manager at a mental health drop-in centre in Roumelia Lane, said: “I was just cycling past and I saw Tobias in a fluff. He seemed to be dazed. I then came back to the shop and he wandered past five minutes later talking on his phone.”

Mr Ellwood said: “I was involved in a serious attack which resulted in me having to go to hospital. I’m reluctant to say too much because I want it to go to trial.”

Cllr David Smith, cabinet member for community, stressed a lot of work was being done to improve Boscombe.

Operation Push was a joint police and council effort to boost the district by starting with an area extending 50 metres either side of the fountain. Its efforts included better cleaning, removal of cigarette butts and police being more proactive with drunks and vagrants.

“We’ve got all the agencies on board and it’s just beginning to tidy the place up so it’s a bit disappointing to see this is happening in Boscombe,” he said.

• A 17-YEAR-OLD male arrested after allegedly attacking Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood on Saturday has been has been released on bail until July 5.

Dorset Police said they had also arrested and bailed a second 17-year-old man until July 5, in connection with the same incident in Roumelia Lane, Boscombe.