POLICE are attempting to identify two teenagers in connection with a sickening assault which resulted in serious injuries being sustained. 

On Tuesday March 30, at about 7.30pm, a large group of people were found to have congregated on the beach in Marine Parade, Southend. 

According to reports a 16-year-old girl was punched a number of times and was grabbed by the hair by a group of girls on the beach, opposite the Hope Hotel.

The assault was witnessed by a passing family who urged the attackers to stop.

At that point, a separate group of young men arrived at the scene and attacked three of the male family members who had tried to help the teenage girl.

Each of the three men sustained facial injuries and one of the group sustained a fractured cheekbone, which required hospital treatment.

Since the shocking incident Essex Police officers have been working closely with local officers and schools to try and identify those involved.

The force is now appealing to the public in a bid to identify two teenagers in connection with the serious Southend assault.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We’d like to thank anyone who responded to our previous appeal for information, which was issued last month.

“We hope that you’ll now be able to assist us with identifying those pictured.”

Anyone with names to pass on, information or footage, is asked to call 101 citing crime reference number 42/56721/21.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or submit a report online at essex.police.uk or crimestoppers-uk.org.