Meadows attack: Three young girls left with ‘sickening injuries’ after assault by a group of older girls in Edinburgh

Police have launched an appeal after three teenage girls were assaulted by a group of older girls in the Meadows on Saturday night in what has been described as a ‘despicable’ and ‘unprovoked’ attack.

Police at the Meadows at the weekend after more reports of youth disorder.

The three girls – aged 13, 14 and 16 – were left with “sickening facial injuries” after being attacked by a large group of older girls in the Meadows of Edinburgh at around 7pm on Saturday, March 20.

The facial injuries the girls sustained required medical attention, according to the police.

Police are now appealing for witnesses following the assault and robbery of the three girls in the Meadows.

The force are particularly keen to speak to the adults who intervened to save the three teens from further abuse.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait of Corstorphine CID said: “This was despicable behaviour which has left three young girls injured and shaken and it will not be tolerated.

“Enquiries are ongoing and we are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and would urge anyone who may have been there and saw what happened to contact us as soon as possible.“We are especially keen to speak to the various unknown adults who intervened to help the girls and I would ask that if that was you that you give us a call.”

In a Facebook post, a mum of one of the girls said her daughter and friends were left "traumatised beyond comprehension" by the "violent and unprovoked attack.”

Her daughter was with two friends before receiving a call from another friend who was in ‘hysterics’.

After working out the exact location of her friend, the mum said her daughter quickly went to ensure her friend was safe.

However, moments after finding her friend and her friend’s cousin, “a violent and unprovoked attack from a large group of girls took place.”

The older thugs, repeatedly kicked and punched the young girls and stole their jewellery.

Her mum said: "My daughter and her friend were both punched to the ground.

"My daughter was then set upon by up to 10 girls.

“She was kicked in the side of the head and all over her body as she lay stunned and motionless on the ground.”

The attack came to an end after man rushed to action after seeing what was happening to the young girls.

The mum said she “cannot begin to comprehend how things might have ended” if the stranger had not stepped in.

She added she will be” eternally grateful” to this man and to the 'university girl' who cradled her daughter moments after the attack.

Some of the thugs who attacked her daughter recorded the brutal assault on their phones, according to Ms Healey.

The incident and “sickening footage” have been reported to police who have now launched a probe into the incident.

The mum said “unprovoked and cowardly” assault has left her “almost broken.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 3698 of 20 March, or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed on anonymously.

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