YOUNG girls were set upon by a gang of out of control youths who tried to set fire to their hair at a train station.

The 13-year-olds were assaulted on Sunday while waiting for a train from Southend to Shoebury at around 5.30pm when they were approached by a group of around five, who began throwing sweets at them.

Trying to avoid confrontation, the two girls, both from Shoebury, moved to a different bench, however were followed by the teens who began to flick lighters at them threateningly, and eventually managed to light their hair.

One of the girls’ mother’s, who contacted the British Transport Police after the incident, described her horror after witnessing her daughter rush home terrified.

She said: “I felt absolutely sick to my stomach when I heard what had happened, they were so intimidated and had no idea what to do other than try to stay calm and get on a train as soon as possible, which thankfully seemed to work.

“They were just trying to enjoy a fun day out and instead they were made to feel threatened - I think it has knocked their confidence quite a bit.

“There are parents who let children quite a bit younger than my daughter go into the town alone with their friends, and I’d hate for something like this to happen to an even younger child.

“It’s very sad that our children are having to put up with incidents like this.”

The mother contacted the British Transport Police via text after the two girls had returned home, and officers are now investigating the incident, which they are treating as reported assault.

She said: “I am so impressed with the way the police have handled the incident - officers spoke to both girls on the phone and really reassured them.

“I think this would have had a much more negative impact on my daughter if she hadn’t seen it being investigated in the way that it is. I know some parents might say that the children were just messing around, but treating somebody like that shouldn’t be seen as a joke.”

A spokesman from British Transport Police said: “Officers have been made aware of a reported assault at Southend Central station on Sunday afternoon.

“Officers are making enquiries into this incident as part of an investigation. It is believed that a group of youths assaulted two 13-year-old girls on the station’s platform shortly before 5.25pm.

“Were you in the station at the time? Did you see anything? Call 0800 405040 or text 61016, quoting 497 of 12 August, if you have any information which could help the investigation.”