POLICE are appealing for information and witnesses following one violent robbery and one assault on Hampstead Heath.

Both incidents took place on Tuesday when lone men were approached by a group of men.

At approximately 11.15pm, a man in his forties was robbed on the Heath, near Jack Straw’s Castle.

He was sat on a bench when he was approached by two men - one white and one black, who were about 20 years old. One asked him what he was doing there and the victim was then grabbed by the collar and pulled to the floor.

He tried to run away but was pushed over and kicked. His pockets were searched and his wallet and mobile phone were stolen. The man suffered cuts to his face and head in the attack.

Just 10 minutes later, a man in his fifties was assaulted on the Heath near West Heath Road.

He was walking when approximately 10 men aged between 18 and 25 approached and asked him what he was doing there. The victim was grabbed and punched, before he tried to run away. He was pushed to the floor and kicked, leaving him with a bloody nose and a cut lip before the group made off towards West Heath Road.

Investigating officer PC Ed Jaques said: “These incidents took place in close proximity to one another and we are keeping an open mind as to whether they are linked. We are working in partnership with the Hampstead Heath Constabulary and there will be additional patrols in the area.” Anyone with information relating to either incident should call 0300-123 1212.