Shocking footage of a group attack on a young man in Lanarkshire has circulated social media.
And the incident has been condemned by locals, who branded those responsible as “animals”.
Video images online show four youths attacking another boy - who appears to be on his own - in an underpass in East Kilbride.
Indeed, at one point a fifth boy, dressed in red, gets involved, kicking the victim in the head.
Worryingly, two of the boys have weapons, with one thug throwing a rock at the victim’s head.
More worryingly, rather than intervene, horrified onlookers watch the fight unfold, with some choosing to film it on their mobile phones.
A Lanarkshire Live source told us: “It looked like a brutal attack in broad daylight.
“There were weapons used. Where does this mentality come from in our kids? It’s shocking.
“They could of killed that young guy - if they had a knife it was getting used
“They were behaving like animals.”
At the start of the shocking footage, a rock is thrown at the victim’s head.
Less than a minute later, it is thrown at him again before being picked up by one thug who stands over the victim, kicking him and stomping on him before throwing the rock down towards his head, narrowly missing it.
One boy is seen with what appears to be a metal pole and repeatedly hits the victim as he lies defenceless on the ground, before throwing the weapon into the nearby bushes.
A Police Scotland source told us : “At around 5.20pm on Monday, officers were called to a report of an assault in the underpass near the Centre Roundabout, East Kilbride.
“A 16-year-old male youth was taken to Hairmyres Hospital for treatment and later released.”
Police say enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
Our community source added : “This is gonna get out of hand.
“Weans will start carrying for protection - I know some young guys they all carry in case they bump into these scumbags.
“Something needs to be done about this now.”
Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact police on 101.
Information can be left anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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