Two families have come under a violent attack while cycling in southern France, after teenagers insulted two females for wearing sports gear.

The attack, in the port town of Toulon, which French prosecutors said was carried out by a group of youths from a housing estate has sparked claims that the Mediterranean town was an example of areas in France falling victim to Islamist ‘morality police’.

The two couples were cycling and roller-blading with their three children and a friend on Sunday afternoon when the ‘incredibly violent’ attack took place.

While passing the Cité des Oeillets, an estate to the east of the town, the group of teenagers began insulting the women for wearing the cycling clothing, shouting ‘Dirty whore, get naked’.

The attack, in the port town of Toulon, has sparked claims that the Mediterranean town was an example of areas in France falling victim to Islamist ‘morality police’ after Maude Vallet (pictured) was attacked in June

But when their male partners approached those shouting the insults, a larger group of teenagers arrived and a fight broke out, it was reported by a local newspaper.

Mayor of Toulon Hubert Falco has called the attack an 'odious' act of aggression.

He said: 'An odious act of aggression took place in Toulon on Sunday.

'My thoughts are with the victims to whom I express my full support.

'I wish them all a speedy recovery.

'The images of the video protection system set up by the City of Toulon and effectiveness of the partnership between the National Police and the City, were identified and found in only a few hours, as well as the perpetrators of this aggression.'

The attack happened right under a CCTV camera, according to Nice Martin.

Footage shows the family stopped at a red light heading towards Pont de Suve school on the bike path at the junction of the old Aramis path Saint-Musse.

The eldest of the three men is hit first, who falls to the ground, and is set upon by the gang.

Bernard Marchal, the Toulon prosecutor, said: ‘The male partners had simply asked them to respect their women and that sparked the fight.

‘The three men were violently beaten on the face in front of their children.

'This was provocation of a sexual nature with the intention of forcing a reaction out of the men present.’

While one of the men was so severely beaten he has had to take time off from work, another had his nose broken.

The women also suffered slight injuries and their children were treated for shock.

Police have since used CCTV to identify and arrest two suspects, aged 17 and 19, as an investigation continues to identify the other perpetrators.

The attack comes after an 18-year old girl was spat at and insulted by a group of girls who found her shorts indecent.

Maude Vallet was called a whore for wearing shorts and sparked solidarity ‘March in shorts’ protests.