Four youths in balaclavas have been filmed beating and kicking a man in Watford High Street.

The attack happened outside Jackson Jewellers and Blue Cross Dental Care although it is unknown when it happened.

A video of the assault was uploaded to social media earlier this week.

It shows five youngsters, including four who were wearing balaclavas, approaching a man walking down the street wearing no shoes. 

Watford Observer: Five people in total were seen approaching the man, including four males in balaclavas, and one girl, who was not involved in the assaultFive people in total were seen approaching the man, including four males in balaclavas, and one girl, who was not involved in the assault

Initially circled by the group, the man is pushed to the ground after his attackers noticed him attempting to pick something up off the floor.

The footage, which appears to be filmed by a witness at a neighbouring property who later shouts in an attempt to stop the assault, shows the man hit and kicked by the youths several times.

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Watford Observer: The man is kicked and hit several timesThe man is kicked and hit several times

The assault lasts around five seconds before the man lies down on the ground and the youths start wandering away.

The circumstances around the incident are unclear. It is also unclear whether the man was known to the attackers.

Watford Observer: The assault lasts around five secondsThe assault lasts around five seconds

Police say they are aware of the footage and “actively investigating” but said the attack had not been reported to them so could not provide a date for when it happened.

Watford’s mayor Peter Taylor, who was tagged in the video, urged the poster to report the incident to police.

Reacting to the video, Mr Taylor said: "Watford is a family-friendly and welcoming town - there is absolutely no place here for violence and anti-social behaviour.

"Residents and visitors in Watford should feel safe and I want everyone to be able to enjoy what our town has to offer. Incidents such as these are rare in our community and I will continue to work closely with the police to make sure that remains the case.

"I would ask anyone who witnesses assaults like these to contact 999 immediately so the police can identify and arrest those involved."

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