Parents have reacted with fury after we ran the story about an 11-year-old boy who was attacked and left bleeding outside McDonald's.

The boy, who is believed to suffer from autism, was attacked outside the restaurant on Grange Road, Birkenhead around 2pm on Sunday.

The victim was said to have been left bleeding from his ear after being attacked by a woman who accused him of spilling a drink on her shoes while they were inside the restaurant.

She reportedly waited outside McDonald's for the boy and his friends before launching her attack.

Readers of the story commented on our website and on Facebook, condemning the woman's violent actions and expressed concern for the boy's well being.

Posting on the ECHO website, Mamoru said: "Absolutely disgusting behaviour from this specimen. What is society coming to when a person will assault a young boy over someone else spilling a drink on her shoes[?]"

They added: "This young lad was vulnerable and does not deserve to be physically attacked by an adult!

"Physically assaulting a minor is a serious charge and if found guilty has the potential to have life changing consequences.

"Hope the young lad is recovering and he can return to going to the places he wants and enjoys."

Posting on Facebook, Clive Brazendale came to the same conclusion that an attack of this nature could have long term consequences for a child.

He said: "That one incident could, quite possibly, have lifelong consequences for that young man. It's quite sad, over what? Nothing in the big scheme of things."

And Steven Shanley posted: "The poor child, probably too scared to go out now! Why didn't somebody stop it? Hope the vile creature gets caught. Hope the boy is ok".

Several parents, some of them with children who also have autism, felt the woman who attacked the boy needed to pay for her actions.

Anne Hewson said: "My son had autism as a young boy, if she had attacked him I would have flattened her and give her a taste of what she handed out".

Claire Crawford posted: "My daughter is autistic, it makes me so mad to hear that someone would treat a young lad this way she should be locked up," adding: "Horrible evil witch, if that had of been my daughter she wouldn’t be left standing".

Kay Cat Mahoney posted: "Make sure his Tetanus up to date poor lad. She needs putting on a lead who does she think she is? I guess they have CCTV. Catch her & make her be brought to court for what she did".

The boy’s mum had earlier posted on Facebook about the attack on her son.

She said: “Anyone downtown early this afternoon, my son was scratched by a woman in her 50s .

“She was [chasing] kids in front but then decided to get him first,” adding: “A drink got spilt in McDonald’s and got her on her shoes and she waited for them.”

She went on to say that his ear was “cut to bits” and that her son suffers with social communication and problems related to autism.

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The boy’s grandmother also posted that the boy was out with his friends for the first time and the woman had scratched his ears, “throttled him”, and punched him in the ribs.

She added that the 11-year-old has been left scared as he’s not used to being out with friends.

Police have confirmed that they have received a report of the assault and are currently investigating.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “We are investigating following reports an 11-year-old boy was assaulted in Birkenhead.

“The incident happened at around 2pm on Sunday 6th September on Grange Road when it was reported the boy was assaulted close to the Iceland store by a woman.

“The boy suffered a cut to his ear and his knee during the incident.

“CCTV enquiries have been carried out in the local area and an investigation is underway.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 20000537910.