Angry youths in Southampton hurled rocks and even crash helmets at a 40-year-old shopowner they believed had reported them to Police.

The incident took place on Horseshoe Road around midnight on Saturday and left the victim with a dislocated left shoulder after he fell while being chased.

Police caught up with the victim while he was at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital being treated for his injuries. He was later released but told attending officers that he had asked a large group of youths who were congregating outside his workshop on Horseshoe Road, to quieten down.

The man also told Police that a short time after he had spoken to the youths, a Police patrol attended. But he said when the patrol left, the youths appeared banging on his door and throwing rocks.

The man reported the matter to his landlord who lives upstairs and said that as he returned to his workshop they threw more rocks at him and accused him of calling Police.

He told Police that the youths then chased him from the building, hitting him in the head with helmets.

The chase caused him to fall down an embankment where he dislocated his shoulder.

Police yesterday urged witnesses to call Western CID on 234-101 or the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.