A WOMAN was smashed over the head with a bottle and her friend punched in the face in a vicious street robbery.

The 24-year-old female victim was walking in North Street, Brighton, towards the Old Steine, in the early hours of Saturday (December 3).

Police said she was approached from behind and hit on the back of the head with a bottle, knocking her to the ground.

Her friend, a 21-year-old man from Brighton, was punched in the face.

Both victims were taken to hospital by ambulance although neither suffered serious injuries and have since been discharged.

The female victim, from Hove, had her purple Ted Baker purse and blue asthma inhaler from her handbag taken.

Detective constable Steve Anmer, of Sussex Police, said: "We believe the suspect was part of a group of six or perhaps seven men who were all walking together down North Street.

"If you were in the area during the early hours of that Saturday morning and saw anything suspicious then please get in touch."

Witnesses should contact Sussex Police via email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, or the online form sussex.police.uk/contact-us/response-to-appeal/ or call 101, quoting serial 184 of December 3.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org