A teenager was attacked and robbed in a street in Hove early this morning.
The 19-year-old local man was walking along Church Road at about 3.50am when he was attacked near the junction with Second Avenue.
The attacker, described as black and aged about 20 to 25, with a shaven or bald head and a southern accent, hit the victim in the face.
He then stole the victim’s mobile phone and wallet.
Sussex Police said that the victim was undeterred and chased the mugger across the road.
He was then hit in the face again and the mugger got away.
He was wearing a black puffer jacket, dark jeans, and a white scarf around his head.
Detective Constable Rowan Carter said: “We would like to hear from anyone who was in the Church Road area in the early hours of this morning and who saw this incident or the man running away.
“We would particularly like to hear from a man who was at a nearby bus stop in Church Road and was spoken to by the victim soon after the robbery happened.”
Sussex Police appealed for the man and any other witnesses to call 0845 6070999.