This is the moment two male vigilantes beat a woman they accuse of trying to commit theft in a Brazilian slum neighbourhood on the hands, threatening a worse punishment if she tries it again.

According to news site CM7, the incident took place in a favela in the city of Fortaleza in the north-eastern Brazilian state of Ceara on the morning of Tuesday, 3rd August.

The identity of the woman who appears in the video in just her underwear and a face mask was not revealed – and she is seen being beaten on both sides of her hands around 15 times.

The mob justice was allegedly handed out after the woman was caught entering people’s houses to steal clothing and mobile phones. According to CM7, her actions were motivated by “hunger”.

After she was caught in the act, the men who can be heard in the video took her to a discreet location, where they meted out the punishment using a wooden stick.

The woman can be seen taking the punishment without resistance as the men say “hold out your f*cking hands” and “if I catch you stealing in the favela again, you’ll be doubled over”.

They then bark at her to turn her hands round and they proceed to beat her on the top of her hands before she clasps them in pain.

It is not clear if the police later intervened. However, several favelas in Brazil are essentially lawless, with the police refusing to enter.

In such cases, law enforcement is carried out by vigilante groups that are often also involved in illegal activities including dealing in drugs or firearms.