A MAN was smashed with a bottle over the head and a female friend punched in the face as they walked in Brighton.

The victims, a 25-year-old man from Lewes and a 24-year-old woman from Littlehampton, were walking up Elm Grove at around 1.45am on Saturday morning (January 14).

As they reached the junction with Freshfield Road they were approached by a group of around six youths, one of whom asked for a cigarette before punching the woman in the face.

The man was hit over the head with a bottle causing a cut which required hospital treatment.

The suspects ran off with the woman's purse which contained a debit card and driving license.

Detective Constable Duncan Lloyd said: "I'm keen to speak to anyone who was in the area that morning and who saw anything suspicious."

Witnesses or anyone with information should use the online form at sussex.police.uk/contact-us/response-to-appeal/, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting reference 92 of January 14.