Police are linking two violent robberies which saw one man knocked unconscious and another viciously beaten.

The attacks in Canterbury happened within 40 minutes of each other on Tuesday, September 6.

The first robbery was in an alleyway leading from Lansdown Road to the train station car park at Station Road East, sometime between 8.50pm and 9pm.

The victim, a 23-year-old Dover man, was walking to the station when he was approached by the two men who punched and kicked him several times before demanding he empty his pockets.

They stole a Blackberry phone, his passport and wallet before walking back down the alleyway towards Lansdown Road. The Blackberry was later found in the alleyway.

The second robbery was in Ethelbert Road, near the junction with Old Dover Road, just before 9.30pm. Witnesses saw two men kick and punch a 51-year-old man as he walked along the road.

The victim, from Herne Bay, was left unconscious and in need of hospital treatment.

He had a black bag stolen, which was recovered in an alleyway leading from New Dover Road to Spring Lane.

DC Dave Wells said: "These were two vicious, unprovoked attacks in which both victims suffered nasty injuries.

"We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have seen the two offenders to contact us.

"We believe that two passers-by may have seen the two men walk past moments before the robbery in the alleyway off Lansdown Road and we would particularly like to speak to them as they could have important information.

"The offenders may also have been seen by drivers travelling along Old Dover Road at about 9.30pm on Tuesday night."

Both offenders are described as in their early 20s. One had a pale green or grey hooded top and grey tracksuit bottoms. The other was a dark grey hooded top and grey tracksuit bottoms.

DC Wells added: "Fortunately street robberies like this are not common in Canterbury and we are keen that these offenders are caught and brought to justice before they can offend again."

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 01622 690690 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime numbers EY/14683/11 and EY/14682/11.