A GANG assaulted a group of youth orchestra performers in broad daylight.

Members of the Essex Youth Orchestra had been rehearsing for their performance at St Botolph’s Church in Colchester on Saturday.

The group were on a break between rehearsals and went for a walk in Castle Park.

But a gang of about 15 young people launched an unprovoked attacked on the musicians after confronting them about drugs.

The mother of one of the youth orchestra members said no-one who witnessed the attack stopped to help.

She said it happened at about 5.45pm.

She said: “They were on a break between the rehearsal and the concert.

“They were walking at the top of Castle Park in broad daylight when they were attacked and assaulted by a group of about 15 white youths.

“It was completely unprovoked. Walking past, one of the boys in the gang asked if they had drugs.

“They replied no and then they set on them. Eight boys surrounded my son.

“One of my son’s friends was badly assaulted with whiplash, concussion and severe bruising.”

The performers were all between 13 and 16-years-old.

The mother added: “The girl who was physically assaulted is just 13.

“My son is 16 and managed to get away but suffered a blow to the back of his head which knocked him out briefly.

“There were a lot of people around but no-one helped them. It was at the top of the park near the Hollytrees Museum.

“A full restaurant of diners who were alerted to an assault which they could see from the window did nothing to help.”

Essex Police are looking for information after receiving a call from another witness.

A police spokesman said they were called at about 5.45pm.

They said: “The victim, a 16 year-old boy, was struck on the head after being approached by a group of people who then made off towards Castle Park.

“If you saw or heard anything please call us on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/112444/18 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”