A WOMAN spat in the face of a teenager in Southend High Street after the girl “refused to give her money”. 

Amy Finch, 19, from Southend, was sitting on the benches having a coffee outside Burger King in Southend High Street, when she was approached by a woman she believed was homeless.

After a brief chat, the woman then asked if Amy “had any money”. 

The teenager claims she politely replied “No I don’t, sorry,” before the woman spat in her face and hair. 

Shoppers in the High Street then rushed to help Amy and offer her wipes and help clear her up, before she went home and reported the incident to police. 

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The woman fled the scene after the alleged incident. 

Amy said: “I was honestly absolutely shocked; I couldn’t believe it.

“It is absolutely disgusting, to be spat on a busy Southend High Street.

“She went right in my face as I was sitting down leaning over me, and it went right on my top, my face, and my hair.

“It was horrible. I was being nice, making conversation when she spoke to me, so just because I said, ‘No I don’t have any money, sorry,’ she’s completely turned.”

Officers are now investigating the incident, which took place early on Friday evening, and have appealed for witnesses and footage.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We received a report that a woman had been spat at near to Burger King in Southend High Street at around 6.45pm on July 29.

“It was reported the victim was approached by a woman who asked for money and when she declined, she said she was spat at.

“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

“Please quote the crime reference number: 42/198996/22

“You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.”