Police are warning men walking through the Deepdale area of Preston at night to beware of a gang carrying out brutal muggings.

On Monday, October 10, a man in his 30s was attacked in Skeffington Road at 11pm after leaving a pub.

He was approached by two white men, aged 17 to 19, and a white woman, aged around 15, and punched several times in the face, knocking out some teeth and leaving him with a broken nose.

The woman, who was 5ft 4ins tall and wore a green track suit bottoms and a yellow strappy top, stole money from him before the gang ran off toward Ribbleton Lane. One of the men wore a cream top and pale track suit bottoms, the other wore a black hoody.

In a separate attack on Friday, October 7, a 40-year-old labourer was savagely beaten with a chain by two men in Deepdale Mill Street at about 11pm after leaving a pub in Meadow Street with a friend, who fled the scene.

His attackers, both white and in their 20s, escaped toward Fletcher Road with his wallet. One wore a light coloured track suit top and blue baseball cap.

Detective sergeant John Crichton appealed for the victim's friend, known only as Michael, to come forward.

On Friday, September 9, in an incident in Ribbleton Lane at about 11.30pm, a man was offered services from a prostitute, and was then threatened by two men with a bread knife and forced to hand over £180.

About ten minutes later another man was beaten up in Fletcher Road.

Call 01772 203203 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 with information.

o A 15-year-old girl was arrested and released on police bail in connection with the October 10 crime.