A teenage girl suffered multiple injuries after allegedly being repeatedly punched and kicked by gang outside a Folkestone cafe.

The attack - which police are calling "unprovoked" - took place in Foord Road, at the junction of Ship Street, as she sat with a friend on a step outside a cafe.

A group of people - two females and a male - were allegedly screaming, shouting and running diagonally towards the 16-year-old and her friend.

The teenager said she was repeatedly kicked, punched and had her hair pulled by the trio. She suffered multiple injuries, but did not need hospital treatment.

During the attack, a man driving a small red van parked in Ship Street, got out of his vehicle and shouted at the offenders. He asked the victim if she was OK and because she replied that she was, he left without leaving any contact details.

A Kent Police spokesman said there was "nothing to suggest this was a provoked attack".

It happened between 9.30pm and 10pm on Thursday, April 17, but details have only just been released.

Police would like the man in the red van or any other witnesses to ring PC John Evans on 01303 289281, quoting reference ZY/012540/14, or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.