The 14-year-old girl had been walking through Les Stone Park with friends about 6.30pm Saturday when she was approached by a group of five teenagers.

Two girls punched and kicked the victim several times before dragging her by her hair onto a nearby footbridge.

The offenders stopped the assault and the girl walked to Lawrence Street before being helped by a passing driver.

She was taken to hospital with serious facial injuries.

Police said the victim and offenders knew each other but the attack was being treated as unexpected and unprovoked.

The same group of young people are alleged to have confronted two boys on Melrose Drive about 9pm before assaulting them and threatening them with a knife in a random attack.

The knife was not seen or used during the attack but was found on one of the alleged offenders when they were arrested at McDonald’s a short time later.

The boys were not badly injured.

Police have charged three teenage girls over the attacks and are asking witnesses to come forward.

“Police don’t encourage that sort of behaviour and we encourage parents to be aware of the activities of their children when they head out at night,” Detective Leading Senior Constable Andrew Leonard said.

“When allowing children out at night, just be mindful of where they’re going.”

Senior Constable Leonard said people may have driven past both incidents, which involved both boys and girls among the perpetrators.

“There are further investigations into the offending,” he said.

“Anyone who may have been driving past and saw or heard anything should get in contact with police.”

Wodonga man Chris Cocking has been urging Wodonga Council to install lighting at parks around the city and said the assaults showed why it was needed.

“I’ve been here for 16 years and nothing is getting done,” he said.

“It’s going to cost a hell of a lot, but what price do you put on a life?

“Someone is going to have to die before something gets done about it.

“It’s getting out of control.”