TWO men have been charged after a motorcycle was stolen from a 55-year-old man.

Officers were called to Stanmer Villas, Brighton, following a report of men in a white transit van taking a motorcycle from outside a property on Wednesday.

The 55-year-old owner tried to stop the bike from being taken but was beaten, and left with injuries to his face and body.

Two men fled towards Stanmer Park where the bike fell out of the back of the van.

The white transit continued to flee towards the A27 before being found by officers with assistance from the Gatwick Firearms Unit and the Dog Unit in Lingfield, Surrey.

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The Specialist Enforcement Unit was also involved in the response.

Two men were arrested following the search.

Following an investigation from Brighton CID and the Neighbourhood Response Team the suspects were charged.

Jack Jones, 18, from Framlingham Crescent, London, was charged with theft of a motor vehicle and assault thereby causing actual bodily harm.

Jack Winstanley, 18, from Widdicombe Way, Brighton, was charged with theft of a motor vehicle.

They were both remanded in custody to appear before Brighton Magistrates.