Police investigate 'sickening' Facebook video that shows bully force schoolgirls on to their knees and beg for forgiveness

Since circulating on social media the video has been viewed more than 7 million times and sparked outrage

Footage of the incident, which is believed to have taken place at Hilary Grove, Birmingham, shows a teenage girl shouting telling a school girl to get on her knees and apologise (Google Maps )

Police have launched an investigation into a “sickening” episode of bullying after a video of a teenager forcing two schoolgirls to beg on their knees for forgiveness near a busy road went viral on Facebook.

Footage of the incident, which is believed to have taken place at around 10pm on Saturday night in Hilary Grove, Birmingham, shows a teenage girl shouting at one of the school girls and telling her to get on her knees and apologise to one of her friends.

She then tosses the girl’s bag into the middle of the main road, which the girl is then forced to retrieve.

A second girl is wrestled to the ground for her bag by the teenager who holds her in a headlock and shouts “Why are you growling at me?”, before emptying the contents of her bag in front the girl.

Laughter and sniggering can be heard throughout the episode and there appears to be a group of onlookers in the background of the footage.

Both of the victims are 14 years old, according to police.

Since circulating on social media the video has been viewed more than 7 million times and sparked outrage.

One user said: “Even though she’s doing all the talking the other kids are just as to blame for a) recording b) laughing c) doing nothing to stop it.”

Others commented: “This is abysmal, how can they look upon that utterly disgraceful behaviour and laugh?” and “Appalling. She should be ashamed of herself. I’m amazed no one stopped!”

A statement from West Midlands Police has said that detectives have already spoken to two of the group involved, including a young male who filmed the scene.

Plans are now in place to speak to two girls, police have said.

Inspector John Askew from Birmingham South Police, said: “The response from members of the public, clearly disgusted by what they’ve seen online, has been overwhelming and we’ve had lots of people getting in touch to provide names of those responsible

“We have identified the two main suspects and plans are in place for one of the girls, a 16-year-old, to attend a police station for questioning later today. We understand the other main suspect is out of the country on holiday but we will speak to her upon her return.

“I would like to reassure everyone this is being treated very seriously and that the enquiry is progressing…under no circumstances should anyone take matters into their own hands as this could leave them liable to prosecution themselves.”