A teenager badly beaten in a vicious attack on Saturday believes tension between rival Hamilton and Somerset youths could escalate into gang warfare.

The 19-year-old, who is not being named for security reasons, was attacked with two friends on Court Street, Hamilton, on Saturday afternoon by a gang of up to 25 youths.

And although he is confident Police will eventually bring the thugs to justice he believes other teenagers could take the law into their own hands.

The terrified youth can now only walk on crutches after suffering a broken leg in the attack -- six weeks after he broke the same leg in a motorbike accident.

"We were just sitting on our bikes on the opposite side of Roosters,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

"Then more than 20 guys just came over. About five of them went for me. One of them hit me in the face with a helmet, breaking my nose. I fell off my bike and then they just all started kicking me.

"There were lots of people around and one or two did try to stop them but they just carried on. I wouldn't say it was frightening because it all happened so quickly. They were straight onto us, although they must have been kicking me for a good few minutes.

"Eventually they started on my friends and I was able to get on my bike and get away. I then went to the hospital.'' He added: "The thing is I broke my leg and wrist in a biking accident about six weeks ago. I couldn't fight back because I've only got one arm and one leg.

"The reason why we were attacked was because we are all from Somerset and we were in Hamilton. That's the only reason why they went for us.

"But this is getting out of hand. I'm dealing with this through the proper channels by going to the Police but I know other people who are just getting tired of it and are saying that, if any guys from Hamilton come over to Somerset and start something they are not going to hesitate. They've just had enough.

"I'm not saying it's gang warfare at the moment but it could develop into that.'' The problem of escalating gang violence was highlighted by The Royal Gazette last month when a Policeman was stabbed at a football match between Somerset and Boulevard.

One eyewitness to the stabbing said: "It was a fight between Somerset and town guys -- they hate each other.

"They don't like to be intimidated by the other crew and they aren't scared of fighting or getting into trouble. They like to mark their territory and anyone who crosses the line is considered an enemy.'' A Police spokeswoman denied that they had noticed any increase in gang violence.

But she did confirm that it was a problem they would be monitoring closely.

And she also urged anyone who was the victim of an attack to contact the Police or the anonymous CrimeStoppers hotline rather than retaliate.

"It's something that we are concerned about and will be watching. Our task force, which deals with pockets of violence, was re-established two months ago and has had a very good success rate to date and we expect that to continue.

"But if anyone has been the victim of crime they should contact the Police.

And if they know that it's likely that there's going to be trouble they should also let us know so that we can be in place.'' Violence in Hamilton: Page 3