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A gang of schoolboys have been filmed launching a vile race attack on an Asian boy before uploading the video online branding it 'smash a p*ki'.

Police say they are treating it as a hate crime and add that two boys have been arrested after footage of the attack in Edinburgh emerged.

Shocked politicians and anti-racism campaigners described the attack in Edinburgh as despicable, vicious and vile, the Daily Record reports.

The video shows the victim begging: “Leave me, please, please, please.”

(Image: Daily Record)

But two attackers batter him to the ground while other boys stand around and egg them on.

The victim is punched and brutally kicked in the head. He tries repeatedly to escape but is thrown down and attacked again.

Laughter is heard in the background as the assault continues.

One boy says: “That’s shan” (Edinburgh slang for “wrong”).

But another replies: “No it’s no’. It’s funny as f***.”

One of the attackers punches the boy as he tries to get away. The victim is repeatedly punched in the head before a second boy runs in to help drag him to the floor.

(Image: Daily Record)

Both boys strike the victim as he tries to protect his head. He manages to get up, but is hauled to the ground again and suffers another hail of punches and kicks.

The victim, who had to go to hospital after the beating, is in school uniform and has a rucksack. The attackers also appear to be dressed for school.

They trapped the boy on a path in a wooded area between Bughtlin Park and Stuart Park in the Drum Brae area of the capital.

The Twitter video appears to have been shot by a boy on a mobile phone.

(Image: Daily Record)

It lasts 45 seconds, and was tagged with the names of two boys and the words “smash a P*ki”.

The Daily Record traced the 14-year-old boy whose Twitter account carried the video. At his home, his mother said she was aware of the video but declined to comment.

The footage was apparently deleted but another Twitter user saved and reposted it and called the attackers “scum”. He asked: “Why would you post a video of your mates beating up someone of an ethnic minority and then delete it?”

Other people on Twitter condemned the attackers. One wrote, “Honestly disgusting” and another added, “Cowardly vermin.”

(Image: Daily Record)

The video shows another boy also apparently using a mobile phone to record the assault.

Police said: Officers in Edinburgh investigated an assault in the East Craigs area which took place on Tuesday, September 13.

“A 13-year-old boy attended Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with minor injuries.

“Two boys, both 13, were charged in connection with this. Inquiries are ongoing in relation to a social media post connected to this incident.

“Officers remain committed to thoroughly investigating any and all reports of hate crime.”

(Image: Daily Record)

Foysol Choudhury, chairman of Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council, said: “We strongly condemns this vicious and vile attack crime and would like to convey our sympathy to the victim.

“Our sympathy also goes to the victim’s family and friends.

“The school these boys attend should take measures to prevent other pupils getting involved in such shocking behaviour.”

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Douglas Ross said: “This is a despicable attack which, as the video portrays, was clearly racially motived.

“People will be appalled at the incident. It’s welcome that the police appear to be making progress on catching the perpetrators.

“There’s no place for this kind of violence in Scotland and such incidents must be dealt with severely.”