POLICE have appealed for help to catch two vicious robbers who burned a teenage girl’s face with a lighter.

The 15-year-old girl was walking along Caulfield Road, Shoebury, when she was stopped by two men who demanded cash.

One of the men then held her by the throat while the other held a lighter to the side of her face and burned her.

The attackers then fled empty handed from the terrified girl, who only had £2 on her anyway.

The victim was later treated for a painful, red scorch mark on her right cheek.

Southend’s most senior policeman, Chief Insp Simon Anslow, said: “This is a shocking offence against a teenager in a busy road near a school.

“The actions of the suspects seem particularly cruel and we would value any information from anyone who can tell us who is responsible.”

The first attacker was of mixed race, aged about 18, and had a black Afro hairstyle and a star tattoo on his neck.

He was skinny, but muscular and about 5ft 6ins tall.

The second robber was white, skinny and about 5ft 2ins tall, with dark hair, gelled back.

Anyone with information about the attack, at 8.30am on April 17 is asked to call Southend CID on 101.