A group of boys accused of pelting a disabled woman with eggs and flour before taking a sick celebratory selfie “are now under their [police] protection” after receiving threats.

Five boys – two aged 17 and three aged 15 – have been arrested and bailed after an image of the group smiling and pointing at the vulnerable victim as she cowered on a park bench in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk caused widespread disgust.

The boys cannot be identified because of their ages but the names of the four suspects and the boy who took the photo have been widely shared online.

A sixth boy – a 16-year-old – was also questioned under caution. The boy remains under investigation.

One of the boys is due to celebrate his 16th birthday, and his mother has said the incident could now jeopardise her son’s party.