TWO good Samaritans scared off a man trying to mug a mother in the street.

Police are trying to track down two men who intervened on Saturday in Upper St James’s Street, Brighton, at about 7.30pm.

The 41-year-old woman was walking with her nine-year-old daughter when she was approached by a man who demanded she handed over her phone. But the two men stepped in and told him to go away.

Detective sergeant Kate Witt said: "We are keen to speak to the men who intervened who might be able to help us with our enquiries.

"The suspect is described as large, white, 5ft 8ins, with black dirty shoulder length hair and black stubble.

"He was wearing a black puffa style jacket and white, sports style tracksuit trousers with white laces which were being used to hold up the trousers and black trainers.”

Anyone with information should call 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 1395 of March 7.