Racist thugs in high-visibility jackets threw a brick at a family’s car after drunkenly abusing them in the street in Eastbourne.

The gang of five men shouted at an Asian woman, her mother and her four-year-old daughter in Beatty Road, Eastbourne, at about 11pm on Monday, August 20.

Sussex Police today issued an appeal for help catching the thugs.

When the family went to leave in their silver Honda Civic, one of the group threw a brick at the car, hitting it on the bonnet.

That man was white, in his 20s, about 6ft. Sussex Police believe the gang may have been picked up in a taxi and taken to Eastbourne town centre after the attack, and beforehand may have been in the harbour area.

PC Steven Shimmons said: "This was very harrowing for all of the victims, not least because of the racial aspect of it, but especially as the youngest victim, the grand-daughter, is just four years old.

"It's not a crime that we're used to seeing in Eastbourne and it's certainly not one that will be tolerated."

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101, quoting serial 2208 of August 20.