A DEFIANT mum has vowed to “take a stand” against a gang of hoodlums after her daughter was attacked before being saved by a fast-food worker.

Rhiannon West, 40, from Colchester, says her daughter Cheyanne, 14, was set upon by a group of teenagers in the town centre shortly before 5pm last Friday.

According to Rhiannon, the terrorising gang pushed and shoved Cheyanne near the Odeon cinema before chasing her to Five Guys, in High Street.

Thankfully, before they could torment her further, an employee at the hamburger restaurant heroically stepped in before escorting her to a nearby bus stop.

“I do not normally put myself out there and I try to keep myself to myself but I have had enough and we are going to take a stand,” said Rhiannon.

“It was three girls and four boys who tried to attack my daughter and I am hoping they were caught on CCTV because I am not leaving it.

“I am annoyed but thank you to the hero Five Guys worker who took Cheyanne to the bus stop and helped my girl.”

Gazette:

The latest incident in the town centre follows reports of a group of youngsters causing trouble near McDonald’s, Primark and Burger King.

Last month, eyewitnesses reported seeing teenagers brandishing baseball bats running away from police in Lion Walk Shopping Centre.

Rhiannon has now issued a rallying cry to the wider community with a view of stamping out the gang culture.

She added: “My inbox has been full of parents who are scared and staff who been abused and attacked – they have had enough of the abuse.

READ MORE: Teens with baseball bats cause trouble at Colchester shopping centre

“I am sick of these teenagers ruining our town, beating up and bullying children and terrorising everyone - I feel people need to take a stand.

“Even a petition to stop them coming into the town without an adult and not together as a group would help – these kids are haunting the town.”

Essex Police have now launched investigation into the incident, which they are treating as an assault.

 

A spokesman said: "We are investigating an assault which took place in High Street, Colchester, shortly after 5pm on Friday May. 13.

"It is reported that a teenage girl was assaulted by a group of people and sustained facial injuries.

"No arrests have been made and our enquiries are ongoing.

"We need anyone who saw anything or has any video or dashcam footage of the incident to contact us - please quote incident 481 of 13 May.

"You can call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."