Police are linking a mugging and an attempted mugging which took place within 30 minutes of each other on Friday night.

The attempted robbery took place at about 7.30pm when the victim, a man in his late teens, was walking near the children’s play area as he walked through Gibraltar Recreation Ground on West Street, Ewell.

He was approached by a group of five men who demanded his mobile phone but left empty handed when two joggers approached.

Half an hour later a boy in his early teens and his friend walked passed Ewell West station, just yards from the recreation ground, and were approached by three men who demanded their mobile phones. One of the boys handed his phone over and the men walked off towards the railway station.

Detective Constable Darryl Donaghue, said: "At this stage in the investigation we believe both incidents are linked due to suspect description, location and time they took place.

"I am appealing to anyone who saw a group of young men in the area around the time the incidents, especially the joggers on Gibraltar Recreation Ground, to contact officers as a matter of urgency as we need to find those responsible and bring them to justice."

The key offender in both incidents is described as a black man, aged in his late teens or early 20s, around 6ft 2in, skinny, with short black curly hair. He was wearing a black puffer jacket. His voice was described by one victim as high pitched and he spoke with a southern accent.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting reference EP/12/1468 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.