A GANG of thugs as young as 12 is suspected of bashing and robbing a woman and torching at least two stolen cars.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the vicious attack on a 37-year-old Cairns woman at Stockland shopping centre on Monday night to contact them.

At least three youths set upon the woman as she walked through the car park near the Ishmael Rd entrance about 9.30pm.

She was hit from behind and then her walking stick kicked out from under her, knocking her to the ground.

The gang then kicked and hit her as she lay on the ground, before taking a small amount of money and medication from her bag.

The thugs are described as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, aged about 12.

The bashing took place several hours before a stolen car was found torched only several hundred metres away, inside Stockland’s underground car park.

Police are still investigating the theft of the 1993 white Ford Falcon sedan with the number plate 909 BYI.

It was stolen from Woree on Friday night.

The vehicle was found burning about 2.30am yesterday after the flames spread into the underground car park's electrical lines, shutting off power to several businesses including the nearby service station.

Police dragged the gutted car out of the undercover car park because tow trucks were unable to fit inside.

Another vehicle, also stolen last week, was discovered alight on Mulgrave Rd outside Sun City later yesterday morning.

Both cars showed signs of minor damage to their bodies.

Sen-Constable Cary Coolican said police were still investigating the links between the incidents.

"The alleged assault was very shocking … and to have the other incidents occur in such close proximity (makes) the whole incident quiet disturbing," she said.

"It looks like the cars were just stolen for a joy ride and they have then set fire to them when they were finished."

Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen either of the two burning cars or witnessed the bashing to come forward.

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