A STREET entertainer who performs as a Star Wars Stormtrooper claims he was abused and kicked by a gang of youths in York.

Police were called to Coney Street on Saturday afternoon after reports of an argument between Simon Watson and a group of youngsters.

Mr Watson, who has been appearing as the character from the sci-fi movies in York for two years, says he was subjected to a torrent of abuse from the youths, while money collected from his performance was also taken and he was kicked while having his picture taken with children.

The incident, which is still being investigated by North Yorkshire Police, comes after street performer Purpleman was attacked and dragged from his bike.

Mr Watson, who lives in Leeds and sometimes performs with a Darth Vader character, said: “They were all aged about 13 or 14 and on scooters, and as they were shouting abuse at me, one of them was filming it all on a mobile phone.

“Eventually, other youths arrived and, in the end, there were about 30 of them. It was quite intimidating for me, but I was more worried about something like this jeopardising my reputation as a performer because what they were shouting at me was terrible.

“It can be off-putting for families when they’re having their picture taken with me and somebody is kicking you. It’s just a shock because York is always such a nice place to perform with such great people, but I will definitely keep performing here.”

Mr Watson said he had spoken to police who were called to the scene and had been reassured he had acted properly during the disturbance, which happened outside the Holland and Barrett store at about 2.40pm.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed they were still looking into the incident but no one had been arrested or cautioned. CCTV footage from the area had also been studied.

Purpleman was attacked only days after Facebook users were urged to use the UK riots as an excuse to push him over as he rode around the city.

He said at the time that the incident had made him wary about performing. In another incident, folk band Blackbeard’s Tea Party were forced to chase a thief who stole money from one of their instrument cases as they busked in High Ousegate earlier this month, eventually cornering him in a nearby store.