A GANG of teenagers attacked a group of people in Brighton’s Pavilion Gardens and “brutally” punched and kicked a woman who was knocked unconscious when she tried to step in and intervene in the attack.

Witnesses told how the gang of up to five young men and two women were attacking another group of four people when they turned on the woman who tried to help.

One witness, who asked not to be named, said: “They racially abused a black female by the arch after she tried to intervene as one of the boys was hitting a female member of the group.

“The whole group including the girl then brutally attacked the black female, kicking her in the head as she lay unconscious on the ground.”

“When three witnesses tried to stop the attack, they were set upon.” The witness added: “Then a white woman was set upon.

“She was pushed into the bushes and her face was stamped on and her head kicked by the whole group of male and female thugs.”

There were lots of people in the area when the attack happened at 10pm on Friday.

The witness said two male witnesses were punched, kicked and bitten repeatedly.

They added: “The beating only ceased as sirens approached so they could flee from police.

“The victims were then taken to hospital.”

The “ringleader” of the gang was described as being a white male, aged about 17 or 18 years old.

He was wearing a cap, a dark coat, dark trousers, and Vans style footwear with white soles.

The two females were white, slim, aged about 17.

One was described as having long straight blonde hair and was wearing a white vest.

The other one had long, dark, curly hair.

Sussex Police confirmed they were called to a fight but did not release an appeal for witnesses.

Update at 10.30am on Bank Holiday Monday - Police have said any witnesses to the attack should call 101 quoting reference 1632/22.