Detectives investigating three street robberies of young men in central Brighton are “not ruling out” the possibility that they are linked.

Three men were robbed of items including a phone, cash and tobacco in three separate attacks between 1.30am and 7.45pm on Tuesday.

They were not seriously injured but were “very shaken,” police said.

Detective Constable Steve Amner said: “Although the incidents happened over an 18-hour period, we have not ruled out the possibility that they are connected, particularly the first two.”

The first happened in Gloucester Place, just by the North Laine pub, at about 1.30am.

A 20-year-old man was walking home when three men demanded his phone, punched him in the face and took his phone, earphones and glasses.

The suspects are described as two white men and one mixed-race man, all 5ft 7in to 5ft 9in, of skinny build and all wearing hooded tops and tracksuit bottoms.

One of the white men had brown hair with a fringe, the other had strawberry blonde hair.

The second robbery took place at 11.30am when an 18-year-old man was walking along Fleet Street.

He was threatened by two men who hit him in the face and stole tobacco.

The suspects are described as white, aged 17 to 18. One was 6ft tall, tanned with short, dark hair and wearing a black, hooded top. The other was 5ft 5in, pale, with short, dark hair and was wearing a black hooded top and black-and-white Nike Air trainers.

In the third incident, at 7.45pm, a 24-year-old man walking along Islingword Street, off Elm Grove, was confronted by three men who pushed him against a wall and stole his purse, containing a small amount of cash.

The first suspect was white, aged around 25 and 6ft tall. The second was also white, of similar height, aged about 40. There is no description of the third man, but all wore waterproof jackets.

DC Amner added: “We would like to hear from anyone who was in those areas at the time and saw suspicious activity or who has any other information.”

Email police on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting serial 1201 of February 17 for the first incident, 560 of February 17 for the second incident, and 1471 of February 17 for the third.

People can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.