A POLICE hunt has been mounted for four racist thugs who attacked an Asian man in Amesbury and robbed him of his mobile phone.

The robbery, described by police as "particularly vicious", occurred at 9.30pm, shortly after the 36-year-old Asian had left the Greyhound public house in Smithfield Street.

He was approached by four young men who demanded his mobile phone and, when he refused to hand it over, they took him into nearby School Lane, where he was punched in the side of the head.

The blow caused him to fall to the ground, and he sustained deep cuts to his left knee.

He managed to get up and ran off towards Smithfield Street but one of the assailants caught up with him and headbutted him in the nose.

Finally, the victim was able to flee the scene and, within a short time of doing so, found his mobile was missing.

The attack occurred on Saturday, October 9, but details of it were not released until last weekend.

Detective Constable Sonia Marsh, of Salisbury CID, said: "This was a particularly vicious crime and we believe it was racially motivated.

"Throughout the attack, the offenders shouted racial and inflammatory comments at the victim."

She said police were anxious to trace witnesses to the attack and robbery, particularly two girls who were in the area at the time and who the victim asked for help.

One of the offenders was white, aged 18-19, about 5ft 5in tall, of skinny build, with short blonde hair and was wearing a white England football shirt and a baseball cap.

Another is described as white, aged 17-18, about 5ft 2in-5ft 3in tall, of medium build and with blonde hair, brushed forward. He was wearing a blue or green T-shirt.

The only description of the other two is that they are both white, aged 17-19, of average build and between 5ft 2in and 5ft 5in tall.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact Det Con Marsh at Salisbury police station (call 01722 411444), or to call crimestoppers, on 08000 555 111.