A WOMAN suffered racial abuse before her head was hit against the pavement during a “vicious” robbery by a gang of teenagers in Clacton.

The victim was walking along the Upper Promenade, in the direction of the Martello Bay, when she was attacked at around 6.30pm on Friday.

She was pushed to the ground as she walked past the yellow seafront shelter, opposite Edith Road.

Det Sgt Dan Jeffries, from Clacton CID, said the woman’s hair was grabbed and her head hit the pavement.

She was also kicked in the back and the stomach several times during the incident.

Following the assault, the victim was treated in hospital for her injuries, which are not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Det Sgt Jeffries added: “During this vicious assault, the victim was also subjected to racially aggravated verbal abuse.

“This is being treated as a hate crime and we are working on various lines of enquiry to locate the suspects.

“If anyone has any information, please let us know by calling Clacton CID or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Police said the woman believes she was attacked by two boys and two girls.

A spokesman added: “All were 16 or in their late teens. The victim’s handbag was grabbed and she was also kicked a number of times in the back and the belly.

“At one point she reported feeling a foot on her head.

“An iPhone 6 Plus was stolen, as was a wallet which contained a three figure sum of cash.”

The mobile phone is described as having a gold and black case. The wallet is multi-coloured.

The victim described the suspects as white, with tanned skin. Both girls had dyed blonde hair.

One of the boys wore a black baseball cap, which had a white 'C' motif on the front. One of the boys also wore a black or blue Adidas hooded top with white stripes.

One of the suspects was described as 5ft 5ins tall and of average build.

Another was described as tall and slim and wore faded blue jeans and is thought to have rummaged through her handbag.

Anyone with information should call Clacton CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.