A MAN needed surgery in hospital after being stabbed in an early-morning attack.

Police are investigating the attack in St James’s Street, Brighton, between 6.30am and 7am on Saturday.

The victim, a 28-year-old man from Hove, was at the junction with Camelford Street near the Bulldog pub.

He was stabbed in the stomach and taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, where he underwent surgery.

Police believe the victim had been in a large group and that there had been a fight or a scuffle prior to the stabbing.

It is not clear if the group had been drinking in the area beforehand.

Police have released a CCTV image of a number of men thought to be in the area at the time.

In particular they want to speak to the man wearing a beany-style hat.

A spokesman for the South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed that they had been called shortly before 7am on Saturday.

Two cars and an ambulance were sent and paramedics treated a man who had a stab wound to his stomach.

The spokesman added that the man had been fully conscious while treated.

He was taken as a priority to the Royal Sussex County Hospital with the ambulance crew calling ahead to the A&E department.

A Sussex Police spokesman said the man was now in a stable condition after surgery.

Detective Constable Leonie White of Brighton CID said: “We want to talk to witnesses to the stabbing, in particular the man in the beany-style hat pictured who was in the area at the time.

“He is not a suspect but we believe he may be able to help us.

“The victim was possibly within a large group of men. If you are a witness, saw this group or saw members running away please contact us.

“Did anyone see this group or did anyone see its members running away from the scene?”

Email 101@sussex.pnn. police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 249 of 10/1.

“Alternatively people can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”