Detectives have vowed to catch a gang of men who harassed and attacked a teenage girl as she walked home after visiting friends.

The 14-year-old, who at one point managed to get away by kicking one of the men between his legs, is now being supported by police officers.

Police are issuing reassurances that it was an isolated incident and pointing out that there was no sexual assault or attempt at abduction.

However, Cleckheaton councillor Kath Pinnock (Lib Dem) said people would be outraged and horrified about the attack and would trust police to consider stepping up patrols if necessary.

The girl had rung her mum to pick her up because she had become wary of a white van and a red car driving up and down past her in Spen Lane, Cleckheaton, on Sunday at about 8pm.

The drivers of both vehicles had slowed down and the drivers sounded their horns and shouted at her, said Detective Inspector Andy Leonard, of Kirklees CID.

As the girl got near to Fusden Lane, she lost her phone signal but as she got her mum back on the phone she was grabbed from behind by one of the men and pushed on to the bonnet of the red car – the van was also parked up on the road.

She was threatened and kicked in the leg by the man while two of the others looked on, but she managed to kick him between the legs and run back up Spen Lane.

The terrified girl got to a house in Spen Lane but, as she was running down the drive, she was grabbed again by one of the men and thrown to the ground.

She got up and ran off but was pushed several times more.

It was only when two motorbikes pulled out of Nibshaw Lane that the car and van drove away at speed, turning up Shirley Road.

Det Insp Leonard said: “While the victim was not hurt, this was clearly a very frightening ordeal for her to go through and we are working closely with the girl and her family to provide her with the support she needs.

“We are determined to find the men responsible for this crime and I would like to appeal for any witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, to contact CID officers in Dewsbury or Crimestoppers. I would particularly like to appeal for the motorcyclists who rode on to Spen Lane before the suspects fled the scene, to contact us.”

The girl told police there were five Asian men involved. One of them, who had a white dog, was driving the van and the other four men were in the car.

Anyone with any information should call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.