WITNESSES are being urged to come forward after a 14-year-old girl was repeatedly driven at and racially insulted whilst trying to cross a road.

Police say it happened between 4pm and 4.30pm on Wednesday, July 20 as the girl used the crossing along Eastmayne from Craylands into the Felmores area, in Basildon on her way home from school.

A man in a large silver vehicle repeatedly drove at her as she tried to cross the road. She had to run across the road to get away from him and hurt her wrist on the railings at the side of the road.

He then shouted a racial comment at her.

Officers say the incident left the girl visibility distressed. A woman who was also crossing the road stopped to help her.

Dc Emma Henderson from Basildon CID is investigating the incident.

She said: "The woman who stopped to help the victim has given her details to us but I would like to speak to two men who were seen waiting at the bus stop nearby and the other drivers who stopped at the crossing.

“They may have vital information that could help us to find the driver of the large silver vehicle.”

At the time of the incident the victim was wearing a black school blazer, black trousers, a white top and a black head scarf.

Anybody that can help is asked to contact Dc Henderson at Basildon on Essex Police 101.

People can also give information to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via an Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.