A man was punched in the head and robbed of his scooter in the centre of Brighton.
The 26-year-old from Rottingdean was in Old Steine close to the bus stop near the bottom of North Street when he was attacked.
Two men went up to him from different directions shortly before 1am on Thursday (14 November).
One of the men repeatedly punched the victim in the head until he was knocked off his Piaggio scooter.
The thieves then got on the scooter and rode across the grass towards St James’s Street.
The victim was wearing his helmet throughout the attack so escaped with just bruising.
The thieves were white, tall and slim. They were wearing jeans and jumpers.
The scooter is a red Piaggio NRG with the registration number GX07 CRF.
Detective Sergeant Steve French said: “The victim thankfully received only minor injuries but is very shaken.
“We believe the thieves may have been waiting at the bottom of North Street before attacking him and I’m keen to speak to anyone who saw them there.
“The men rode across the Steine without helmets. We think at some stage they crashed the scooter, got back on and rode off.
“Did you see any incident like this or two men who fit the description of the thieves? Please contact us if you saw or heard anything.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101, email contact.centre@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.