POLICE have launched an investigation after a teenage schoolgirl was beaten by a gang.

The 14-year-old girl was punched and pushed by a group of five in North Shoebury Road, in Southend.

During the attack, the victim says she was threatened with being thrown over a railway bridge and onto the tracks.

It is also alleged the teenage gang attempted to drag her across the road into oncoming traffic and also hit her head against the pavement and brick wall.

The teenager was with her girlfriend at the time, and was threatened several times before the attack.

Her mum posted about her daughter’s ordeal on social media and has given the Echo permission to tell the story.

As well as injuries to her scalp, the 14-year-old has been left terrified and scared of leaving the house.

The gang was made up of two girls and three boys, with one of the girls wearing a red coat.

The victim’s mother has urged anyone with any information to come forward.

She said: “We do not have very much to go on at all, so understandably every small piece of information helps.

“It might just be the piece to the puzzle we need.

“I have raised my daughter to be a strong, independent, confident young woman. This has totally wiped her of all of that.

“To say I’m upset is an understatement.

“This would have been a terrifying ordeal for an adult, never mind a 14-year-old girl and her girlfriend.”

A spokesman for Essex Police also urged anyone with information to come forward.

He said: “We are investigating following reports of an assault in North Shoebury Road, Southend, on February 3.

“It was reported a 14-year-old girl was assaulted by a group of boys and girls around the same age who punched her and pushed her.

“They also made threats to harm her.

“If you saw anything, have any CCTV or dash cam footage, or have any other information, please call us on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/18666/20 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”