TWO teenagers have been charged with assault and attempted robbery after a video of a boy being attacked went viral online and was reported to police.

The video, which was posted on Facebook, appeared to show a 12 year-old boy being chased, kicked, and punched by youths in what police described as a "sustained and violent attack".

Officers said they were made aware of the recording just after 11am yesterday, and established that the location of the alleged assault was somewhere in Bradford.

Through inquiries and the use of police schools officers, they identified the alleged victim and arrested three 13 year-old boys on suspicion of assault at around 3pm.

Two of the boys, both from the Heaton area of Bradford, have now been charged with assault and attempted robbery and bailed to appear at Bradford Youth Court.

The third boy has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Police said they had interviewed the 12 year-old and spoken to his family about the incident, which occurred last month, and he is said to be safe and well.

Detective Chief Inspector Terry Long, of Bradford Police, said: "Thankfully, a member of the public reported this Facebook video posting of the assault, which occurred in early May 2015.

"It was not reported to the police at the time. We don't believe the attack to be racially motivated. "