POLICE and social services are investigating a video which reports to show a woman giving a child a cigarette.

The video of a woman’s Snapchat feed has been circulating on social media and has since gone viral due to its content.

Snapchat is a phone app which allows people to post short videos and photos to friends.

The Snapchat story shows a toddler sitting on the stairs with a cigarette in her mouth.

A woman’s hand is then seen attempting to light the cigarette multiple times, while it is still in the girl’s mouth.

The video then goes on to show a woman pushing the young child over by placing a hand on the top of her head and shoving her backwards as she tries to walk through the door.

The final part of the video shows the woman walking behind the young girl as she goes down the stairs.

As the girl reaches the last few stairs, the woman kicks the girl in the back.

Her acts have been described as “vile” and “stupid”.

It has not been confirmed whether the woman in the video is the girl’s mother.

The video has been reported to Essex Police and children’s services at Essex County Council by numerous people who have watched the Snapchat video.

Both authorities confirmed they were investigating the incident.

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We are unable to comment on individual cases but take the safety and welfare of all children extremely seriously.

“Social care colleagues are currently working closely with Essex Police to investigate and enquiries are ongoing.”

The video also includes picture captions about the young girl such as ‘she stole my dad’s fags’.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating an assault on a young child in Colchester.

“Enquiries are ongoing and appropriate safeguarding has been put in place.”