POLICE are hunting four youths who attacked and tried to rob a man in Littlemoor.

At approximately 12.30am on Sunday January 5 a 47-year-old local man was walking in the area of Beverley Road when a group of four young men approached him.

One of the men in the group demanded money and a mobile phone before attacking the victim who resisted and managed to escape his assailants.

Fortunately, none of his property was stolen, however, he sustained injuries including a broken rib.

The main offender has been described as white, in his late teens, of slim build and five feet nine inches tall with a grade one to two crew cut. He was wearing a grey hooded top, dark blue jeans and new looking white trainers. This man may have sustained a facial injury. One of the other members of the group was wearing a pair of fluorescent green trainers.

Detective Constable Nick Lavery, of Weymouth CID, said: “This was a nasty attack on a man while he was walking alone.

“I urge anyone who witnessed this attempted robbery and anyone with information about men matching the description to call Dorset Police in confidence as soon as possible.”

No arrests have been made.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 05:140. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.