A man attacked in an “extremely violent” attempted watch robbery in Soho has been left with lasting injuries to his face.
The Metropolitan Police has released new images after the 28-year-old victim was attacked in the early hours of December 27 on Frith Street as the two suspects tried to grab his watch.
After failing to engage him in conversation, the suspects saw the man walk off before attacking him ten minutes later by punching him repeatedly in the face. But despite the viscious onslaught, they were unable to take the watch and the victim escaped.
The victim was taken to hospital in an ambulance where medics found he had fractured an eye socket and had lacerations that required stitches.
Detective Constable Christine Metz is appealing for witnesses after images of two men were released.
She said: "This was an unprovoked, extremely violent, assault on a man going about his normal day. The level of violence was unnecessary which makes me very keen to identify and apprehend these individuals.
“The public has a right to use the streets of our city without fear of being attacked and robbed of their personal property and I am asking the public to join with us in our complete abhorrence of this behaviour by telling us who these men are.
"The victim in this case still suffers from the effects of his injuries to this day – those effects last far beyond the healing of wounds or a loss of property.
"Please look closely at the two suspects pictured. The images are of a good, clear quality and I'm sure someone will recognise them.”
