A MAN was punched in the face and robbed of his mobile phone after being chased by a gang along Cowley Road, Oxford.

The man was walking away from the city centre when he was confronted by three youths near to the Co-op store at the bottom of Divinity Road.

The youths chased the man and hit him in the face as they demanded he give them his mobile phone.

The man handed over his phone and the youths ran off towards the churchyard.

The attack happened between 5am and 5.15am on Sunday but details were only released this afternoon.

PC Alex Gill said: "This was a nasty, unprovoked attack; luckily the man only suffered bruising under his eye and not more serious injuries.

"The three men are all black, average build and height and I would like to appeal for anyone who may have seen these youths or have any information to contact me."

Anyone with any information about the incident to contact PC Gill via 0845 8 505 505, or if you do not want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.