Mother's horror at attack on teenage daughter in Watford

And her mother - who described her feeling of helplessness at seeing the “horrifying” footage - has called for increased policing in Watford town centre.

Mobile phone video emerged last Wednesday (September 21) of boy and girl in their teens punching the victim and pulling her hair as she huddled in the middle of Clarendon Road.

A group of other teenagers stood around, with some filming the attack and others shouting abuse at her.

The victim, who asked not to be named, claims she suffered several injuries including a bruised eye, blurred vision, a swollen temple and a torn scalp.

She said she also suffered “really bad whiplash” and was left bruised and sore.

The girl getting attacked (Image: UGC)

Recalling the attack, the teenager explained she was with a friend when a group approached her and started shouting at her and yelling personal abuse.

The girl said: “They were punching me, kicking me, throwing me all over the place – kicking my head.

“It was horrible, I was absolutely terrified. I put her (the friend) behind me and I was protecting her, I was so scared for her and me.”

As well as physical injuries, the girl said the attack had had a terrible impact on her mental health - leaving her bed-bound and terrified to leave the house.

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Her mother said: “It was horrific to watch as a mother. I think there isn’t enough police presence in place like the town centre to ward off such groups and stuff like that.

“That’s my baby at the end of the day and it’s horrifying to see that, and I couldn’t do anything for her.

“They picked on a child that’s really, really vulnerable and now they made her more vulnerable.”

The girl says she was rescued by her dad (Image: UGC)

While the daughter says that police have been co-operative so far in the investigation, she questions whether the case will be taken seriously.

The call for more officers in the town centre follows a recent complaint about “unbearable” daily crime endured by those living there.

Inspector Pete Edwards said that there are “proactive patrols” in the area” and issues are dealt with in a “proportionate manner”.

Hertfordshire Constabulary says there have been no arrests and enquires are continuing.

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