The vicious beating of a father and daughter by a gang of teenage thugs in Newcastle has sparked outrage and prompted a police investigation.

Tibor Racsits was set upon by at least half a dozen youths when he tried to protect his 13-year-old daughter, Kiara, from the mob in what he believes was a premeditated attack late last week.

The 41-year-old went to Charlestown Square to pick up his daughter from the cinema after she rang him and said a group of girls were planning to bash her, the Newcastle Herald reports.

"When I got to the escalators and called her again to get out of the movie, there was only three girls at that point in time but I just had this feeling that those girls were part of the group," Mr Racsits told the newspaper.

"And within 15 seconds, there was like 20 of them. I don't even know where they came from.

"They must have been hiding.

"I think it was a set-up, it was planned."

Video of the ensuing incident has been shared almost 3000 times since it was posted online overnight, with many Facebook users calling for the attackers to face street retribution.

"This is a disgrace and I was to find out who you all were (sic) it would be quite hard for people to pull me away from you little putrid maggots," one comment read.

"Honestly there's enough of us here we need to get together and run the streets and make sure sh-- like this doesn't happen again," said another.

Mr Racsits is badly shaken by the incident, during which he sustained bruises and possible cracked ribs; his phone, wallet and keys were also stolen during the beating.

The video shows Kiara being shoved over by a young girl as she screamed for the assailants to stop.

"I felt like I failed as a parent, to protect my daughter," Mr Racsits said.

"I broke down yesterday (Monday) because I felt like I let her down but there was nothing I could do."

A 15-year-old was arrested today in connection with the assault.

Police are continuing to investigate, and anyone with information about the incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 833 000.