A man and his wife were injured and their car damaged in an unprovoked attack by a gang of youths in Brighton.
The couple were driving in a city street when they came across the group of 20 boys and girls in their early teens standing in the middle of the road.
One youth kicked the side of the car in Moulsecoomb Way.
The owner, 47, got out to speak to the offenders and was attacked. His wife, 45, went to her husband's aid and was also assaulted.
The victims, from Brighton, needed hospital treatment following the incident near the junction of Lewes Road at 9.45pm last Friday.
The man suffered bruising and swelling to his face and the woman was left severely shocked.
Detective Constable Kate Witt, from Brighton and Hove CID, said: "This was a totally unprovoked attack.
"There were mainly boys in the group but there were girls too. We understand the girls may have tried to intervene to stop what was happening. We are appealing to anyone who either witnessed what happened or has information about it, to come forward and speak to police."
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