A MAN was taken to hospital after he was attacked by three people he believed had been involved in a crash.

The victim was driving along Branksome Road, St Leonards when he saw a person lying in the middle of the road with a white crash helmet on and a moped on the ground next to them.

Two other people, wearing black or dark coloured crash helmets, were stood in the road nearby.

Police say the man stopped because he though they had been involved in a crash and got out of his car to check if the person in the road was okay.

As he did, the person on the ground stood up and one of the others demanded the victim hand over his car keys.

The victim refused and was assaulted by one of the suspects, suffering slash wounds to his hand requiring hospital treatment.

The three suspects left the scene when a vehicle turned into Branksome Road from the direction of Gresham Way.

They left on mopeds in the direction of Filsham Road.

Sussex Police are investigating the attempted robbery and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward, including anyone who may have captured any relevant CCTV, doorbell or dash cam footage from the area.

A spokesman for the force said: “Anyone with information is asked to contact police online or by calling 101 quoting serial 1497 of 03/02.

“Alternatively, members of the public can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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