It certainly can't be accused of shying away from controversy.

But after almost five decades on air, Coronation Street is set to deliver its biggest shock yet with gratuitous scenes of girl-on-girl gang violence.

It is the first time that the popular programme has depicted a 'happy-slapping' style attack among female characters.

And the scenes are made all the more appalling after appearing to capitalise on the fears of escalating teen violence across Britain's streets.

Innocent victim: Mel Morton, played by Emma Edmondson, is attacked by a female gang

Shock scenes: Fans are calling for an end to aggressive storylines in the soap

It is a new low for the programme with some fans now demanding an end to the increasingly aggressive scenes featured in the long-running soap.

Fansites were today attracting angry comments from viewers with some even accusing the show of encouraging violence among teenagers.

The episode will be screened in September and will be aired before the 9pm watershed.

It shows four young women setting upon undercover police officers Mel Morton and Abi Sharpe in an unprovoked attack after the pair are sent to investigate trouble at a local bar.

WPC Abi Sharpe, played by Rachael Elizabeth, steps in to stop the assault on her friend (above) and the gang turns on her (below)

They are beaten with fists, kicked and stamped on and even have glass bottles smashed over their heads.

One vicious assailant shows no-mercy as she brutally stamps on Abi's head as she lays helpless and unconscious on the pavement before being left for dead.

Fans flooded internet forums today with one saying: "A Corrie catfight is one thing. It's a bit of a classic scenario to watch Eileen and Gail or Janice and anybody squaring up to each other across the cobbles.

'But isn't all the violence on Coronation St getting a bit much? It seems there isn't an argument that can't be settled without someone getting slapped or punched.

One who called himself Quiteman said: 'The writers of Corrie have for the last year or so been sending out all the wrong signals to our youngsters.

Vicious: One fan worries the violent scenes give the 'wrong signal' to young viewers

'I have been an avid fan for forty plus years but am now minded to switch to another soap. Kids think they can get away with murder after watching it. It's gone on too long.'

The timely storyline on this occasion comes comes amid concerns of escalating knife-crime and fears that many urban areas are becoming no-go areas at night.

Another wrote: 'It seems like the times when Corrie have tried to get "real". Like the mid-90s when drug dealers beat Des Barnes to death. A lot of viewers tune out.

'It's a cop-out to say they are doing this to show realism. They want drama pure and simple.'

Broadcast regulator Ofcom today revealed it had received one pre-transmission complaint over the violence featured in an upcoming episode of Coronation Street.

A spokesman said: 'It is the broadcaster's responsibility to adhere to the Ofcom broadcasting code. If we receive complaints from viewers after the broadcast then we will consider them.

'We have had one pre-transmission complaint but we don't have any power to act until after the programme has been shown and until then we can't comment on specific aspects.'

Ofcom guidelines state violence 'must be appropriately limited in programmes broadcast before the watershed or when children are particularly likely to be listening'.

It adds violence easily imitable by children should not be shown before the watershed 'unless there is strong editorial justification'.

Since the programme first hit British television screens in 1960, the ITV show has caused a public outcry from viewers on a number of occasions.

In 1977, writers came under fire after actress Anne Kirkbride's character Dierdre was molested and almost raped on the way home from an exercise class.

Last year, programme-makers were accused of copying the case of Madeleine McCann too closely after the disappearance of a child in a housefire.A night out on the town turns into a life and death ordeal for Mel Morton and her friend WPC Abi Sharpe, played by Emma Edmondson and Rachael Elizabeth respectively.

The pair are set upon by a gang of teenage girls who beat them black and blue in an unprovoked attack.

The random violence plaguing Britain's streets is coming to Coronation Street in shocking scenes that are set to stun viewers.