POLICE are hunting for a gang of youths in connection with four incidents where threats were made to people in the street.

In each case members of the group said they had a gun or a knife, although no weapons were seen.

They also demanded money and mobile phones.

About four or five people aged in their late teens to early 20s were involved in the incidents, which happened in the Dyke Road Park and Davigdor Road areas of Hove.

The first incident happened in Cromwell Road at about 12.15am on Saturday when a man walking home was approached and asked for money but he refused.

Then in Dyke Road at about 1am a man who had just got out of a taxi on his way home was approached by one of a group who sitting by a bus stop.

The suspect told the man he was going to rob him and that he had a gun, but after a brief altercation the man walked away unharmed.

At 1.30am a 45-year old local man was walking in Dyke Road Park, very close to the bus stop in the previous incident.

He was punched and kicked and left with face and chest injuries by a group who demanded his mobile phone.

However he did not have one with him and the group went away.

The final incident was reported at 3.20am after two men walking home had been approached by a group who asked what they had and began to attack them.

One of the group claimed to have a knife but did not produce one.

After a brief struggle the group made off empty-handed and the two men were unhurt.

Detective Constable Julian Harrison-Jones said: "We are keen to speak to anyone who saw this group in the area in the early hours of Saturday or who has any other information.”

In the first three incidents is the main suspect is described as being white, in his early 20s, 6ft 2ins and slim with short dark hair.

The main suspect in the last incident was white, 5ft 7ins, slim and wearing a light brown or grey cardigan with a full length zip.

Anyone with information about the incidents are asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, quoting serial 121 or 11/02.