Winckley Square, normally a place of peace and calm in the city centre, was the scene of a violent robery

A man who was told by his attackers “You are being robbed” has been left with facial injuries and a black eye after the attack in Winckley Square.

The 23-year-old victim was sitting on a bench in the Square at 10.30am on Thursday 23 April.

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Two men approached him and one sat down next to him while another stood in front of him.

The man next to him on the bench turned to him and said those chilling words before punching the victim in the left ear.

Both men then pinned their victim to the ground where he was kicked and punched repeatedly.

They searched the man’s pockets and took £20 in cash before being disturbed by two members of the public.

PC442 Geoff Wade of Preston CID said: “This was a nasty and violent robbery which happened in broad daylight while the victim was sitting in the park making the most of the nice weather.

“We are keen to trace two men who we believe witnessed the incident and disturbed the attackers and I would urge them to come forward.

“Similarly, if anyone was in the park at the time of the robbery and witnessed what happened then please get in touch with us. You may hold vital information that could lead to the identification of the two offenders.”

One of the offenders is described as white, approximately 20 years of age, around 6ft tall, proportionate build with short brown hair, slight stubble.

The other offender is described as black, approximately 6ft tall, muscular build with short black hair and was wearing a dark jacket with lighter coloured sleeves at the time.

Anyone with information can contact Preston CID on 01772 209751 or they can call police on 101 quoting crime reference SA1504320.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.