A man was hospitalised with a broken jaw following an assault in Canterbury, just hours after a woman was dragged along the ground in a violent robbery.

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses to the two incidents, which are not thought to be linked.

The first happened by the Waitrose car park in St George’s Place at 9.30pm on Saturday.

An 18-year-old Japanese student had just got off a bus when a man approached her from behind and grabbed her handbag, which contained an iPad, camera and some cash.

When she tried to keep hold of her bag she fell to the ground and was dragged along by the suspect, sustaining extensive grazing.

The suspect, who was of average height and build and wearing a hooded top, then fled with through the car park entrance with another man.

The second attack happened near the Westgate Towers in St Peter’s Street just three hours later.

A 29-year-old man approached by a white man in his 20s, who started being abusive.

The next thing the victim remembers is crawling away in pain.

He was hospitalised with a broken jaw, chipped teeth and cuts to his elbows.

The suspect is described as 5ft 11in tall, of average build, with brown, medium length hair and a local accent.

He was with another man, who was eating a kebab at the time, and is described as white, in his early twenties, stockier than the main suspect, 5ft 11in tall and with very short, dark hair.

Police want to hear from anyone who witnessed the assault, particularly a man who spoke to the main suspect at the time.

Anyone who can help with information about either attack is asked to call Detective Constable Kelly Boyd on 01227 744732, or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.