Street patrols in Ham and Petersham have been stepped up the Council's Park Guard officers and police after a girl aged 12 was attacked by a teen girl and others because she spoke German.

The attack happened in the Sandy Lane playground, close to Grey Court School earlier this week as the youngster was playing with her 10-year-old brother.

An eye-witness, who broke up the attack, said: "Just saw a little German girl get beaten up by an older teenage girl and her friends in the Sandy Lane playground for 'looking at them' and 'not speaking English'.

"They ran away as fast as they could when they saw me coming to intervene. This is aside from the litter they have left everywhere and the porta-loo that they tipped over.

"The German girl left in tears, but I did check that she was ok."

A number of other parents have raised concerns about youngsters being targeted because they speak German rather than English. Richmond has a popular German school, although the victim in this case is not a pupil there.

The attack appears to be part of a disturbing trend involving teen girl gangs attacking other very young girls, often using severe violence and even recording the confrontations on smartphones to be shared on social media.

The girl's mother said: "I heard that some teenage girls were seen later on on Monday on their phones looking at videos on TikTok - no idea if they uploaded a video of my daughter but they'd better not have done."

She added: "This gang has turned Sandy Lane playground into a dangerous area where parents are scared to take their children.

"I gather they were there again last night, broke through the fencing and pushed over a portaloo. My children saw them breaking bottles and leaving broken glass on the ground.

"I believe most if not all of the gang members have been identified.

"I understand the police are aware of the identity of the teenagers in question. I found the police officer to whom I spoke generally friendly and helpful but I've not been contacted by the safer neighbourhood team as yet.

"My main concern is ensuring our children feel safe and secure in their local community and at their school - I never thought something like this would happen to us here."

Local Councillor Andree Frieze, who is deputy leader of the Green group on the Council, said: "The ward councillors are aware of this incident, and we have been in touch with the local police, Park Guard and Grey Court head teacher.

"Police and Park Guard are stepping up their patrols.

"If anyone knows anything, please call crime stoppers on 0800 555 111 or email the Ham & Petersham Neighbourhood Team via [email protected]."

Richmond Police had no comment on the attack.