A 12-year-old boy was thrown to the floor and repeatedly punched by a "grown man" during a shocking attack as he walked home from school.

The youngster’s dad, Anthony Morris, claims his son was followed in Swanage Road, Southend, before being attacked by a man, believed to be in his 30s, who demanded he hand over his phone.

CCTV footage of the violent incident, seen by the Echo, shows the man grab Anthony’s son before violently throwing him to the ground and attacking him until the boy flees.

In the footage the man, wearing a green jacket, is seen watching Anthony’s son before crossing the road behind him and launching the attack.

The boy, who was unable to return to school on yesterday, has a facial injury as a result of the punch and grazes across his back from being thrown onto the pavement in the incident at roughly 4.26pm on Monday.

The incident has been reported to police and Anthony is speaking out in a bid to warn other parents.

He said: “I am angry, I am angry that a 30-year-old man is on the streets thinking it is okay to approach 12-year-old children and attack them.

“He wouldn’t go back to school today and he is quite scared, as things stand at the moment he gets the bus to school and our concern is getting him home.

“We are putting in plans for my eldest daughter to go to school and get him on the bus.”

Anthony added that following the attack, his son called his mum in a panic while running home.

He said: “I went straight out afterwards and couldn’t find him anywhere, police were aware and I went to the spot.

“The attack was unprompted, my son was grabbed around the back and front and the man demanded his mobile. He tried to fight back and he kicked out and punched the bloke to get away.

“It was over quite quickly but for my son it was far too long for him.”

A police spokesman said: "We are investigating an attempted robbery in Southend.

"It was reported a 12 year-old boy was approached by a man in Swanage Road at around 4.20pm on 25 November who grabbed him and demanded his phone.

"The boy refused and was assaulted.

"Our enquiries are ongoing.

"If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"Please quote the crime reference number 42/177936/24."