Police are hunting a gang of teenagers who robbed a woman and assaulted her partner in a "terrifying unprovoked attack".

The victims were walking north in Boundary Road, Hove, when they were surrounded by a gang of more than a dozen 12 to 15-year-old boys and girls at the bus stop close to the junction with New Church Road.

Members of the group demanded the woman hand over her bag and one of the girls from the group snatched it from her.

The children ran away and the woman's partner chased them to try to recover the bag.

When he caught up with them he was surrounded again and knocked to the ground.

Members of the gang then punched and kicked him while he was on the ground.

The gang took the man's backpack from him and ran down an alleyway between Franklin Road and Vale Road in Portslade.

The man suffered a fractured cheekbone and broken ribs in the attack.

Among the items stolen in the robbery were bank cards, mobile phones and the two bags.

The incident took place at about 11.15pm on June 21 but police have just released details.

Detective Constable Rowan Carter, of Brighton and Hove CID, said: “This was a terrifying unprovoked attack on the couple who were simply trying to make their way home.

“We need to speak to anyone who could identify any of the children involved in this violent and brutal robbery or who saw what happened.”

Anyone with information should call 101.