Taunting yobs poured white spirit over a 12-year-old girl then held lighters up to her body.

The group surrounded the youngster as she walked home from school to her home in Dilbridge Road, Colchester.

Police recovered the empty fluid bottle from the roadside and have launched an investigation in a bid to trace the culprits.

Colchester crime reduction officer Colin Stiff said: "They sprayed this stuff over her and then held lighters up in the air at her.

"She declined hospital treatment but was advised to take precautions by washing her face thoroughly.

"This was a very serious situation. There was a danger her eyes could have been damaged and there was also intimidation. We are very concerned and appealing for any witnesses to come forward."

The incident has striking similarities to another attack in Jaywick at 7pm on Monday.

A 13-year old girl was set upon in an alley between Glebe Way and Rosemary Way, by a gang who sprayed a can of deodorant in her face and set light to the fumes.

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Published Friday, December 17, 2004

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