Police are hunting two young children who target tourists, begging for cash and stealing mobile phones.

It is feared the children, aged just seven and 13, are stealing from customers outside bars and restaurants in Brighton and Hove.

Police say they are concerned for the welfare of the children, of East European appearance and described as "scruffy and smelly".

They believe the youngsters are deliberately being used by unscrupulous adults.

The children used the same method to take mobile phones from a number of customers sitting outside seafront restaurants over the bank holiday weekend.

Sergeant Richard Delacour said: "They approach customers sitting at tables outside restaurants and cafes and ask them for money.

"While they are talking to them, one of the children puts a newspaper over the victim's mobile phone or other property on the table.

"When they walk away, they pick up the newspaper with the phone inside it as well.

"While we do not want to discourage people from giving to what they think is a worthy cause, we also want them to be aware of what is happening.

"We are also very concerned about the welfare issues involved if such young children are being used to steal from others.

"The losers in these cases described the children as scruffy and smelly and aged seven and 13.

"We want to hear from anyone who is approached in similar circumstances so that we can satisfy ourselves that these children are all right."

Anyone with information about the two children seen in Brighton and Hove over the weekend is asked to phone Hove police station on 0845 6070999.