A TEENAGE girl was kicked and punched after being dragged to the floor during a sickening attack in Southend.

Shocking video footage of the assault has been widely shared across the internet and shows the victim being attacked by a group of girls, who also pulled on her hair.

The family of the victim have been left “disgusted” by the incident as they launch an appeal for information about the attack in Southchurch Road.

The victim’s older sister, Lauran Simpson, 21, said she was left furious after learning about the incident, and condemned the attackers for openly sharing video footage on social media.

She said: “I am absolutely livid, I can’t believe someone could do something just so vile.

“Everyone in the family is disgusted about what we have seen, and what my younger sister went through.

“She was kicked and punched whilst on the floor helpless.

“She has bruises across her back and body, but the worst injury was too her head, with a golf-ball sized lump.”

Lauran says her younger sister is now avoiding leaving the house after the attack, which happened around 6pm on Thursday.

She said: “It has affected her so much, she doesn’t want to go out, she doesn’t want to socialise, she has lost all confidence.

“The video is still being circulated by the attackers too like they are proud of it - it is disgusting.”

Lauran says her sister was going out for dinner with a friend when the group of girls approached her in the street and launched their attack.

She claims the group of girls knew her sister from school and had allegedly planned to video an attack.

Lauran added: “The attackers are dangerous, and people have the right to know that in order to protect themselves and their children from the same violence.

“I hope the parents of these girls are proud that their children have done something disgusting like this.”

Essex Police have been contacted for comment on the incident.