A woman was grabbed in the street by a silent attacker in Hove.

The victim, who is in her mid-20s, was set upon in Pembroke Crescent, Hove, at about 2.25am today.

Her attacker grabbed her and knocked her down but she broke free and the man left.

He was last seen walking quickly north up Sackville Road towards Portland Road.

The man is not believed to have spoken and nothing was stolen. Police said his motive is unclear.

Detective Constable Joel Bott said the case is not currently being linked to a series of sexual assaults in Hove last year or any other reported crimes.

The woman had been in The Conqueror pub in Lower Market Street before walking west along Church Road and north up Sackville Road. She was attacked about 50 feet into Pembroke Crescent.

She does not believe she was followed. Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in those areas to contact them.

The woman is white, about 5ft 8in, medium build, with auburn hair. She was wearing a grey knee-length coat, black jeans and boots, wore black headphones and carried a large black bag.

The suspect was described as white, between 5ft 8in and 6ft, aged from his 40s to early 50s, slim, with inch-long grey or white hair and about two days of grey or white stubble.

He wore metal-framed glasses and a hip length parka jacket with a plain, not furry, hood.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "Fortunately the victim managed to break free and, although extremely distressed by what happened, she wasn't seriously harmed.

"We are anxious to hear from anyone who either witnessed the attack or saw the victim or suspect in the area shortly before it happened.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Brighton CID on 0845 6070999, quoting serial 106 of December 23, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.