Horrific moment robbery victim is punched to the ground and repeatedly hit in the face before having his phone and leather jacket stolen is captured on CCTV as police admit it may be linked to three other attacks

This is the sickening moment a victim of a robbery was repeatedly punched in the face in a savage attack which may be linked to three others.

Detectives have released CCTV footage of the robbery in Leeds city centre as they appeal for the public's help to identify the thug.

The victim, a 53-year-old man, was waiting for a taxi at 4.30am on Sunday, June 30, when the man began loitering next to him.

The suspect walked away before returning and snatching the man's phone and punching him to the ground.

He was repeatedly punched in the face as the attacker removed his watch from his wrist and fled the scene with the phone and leather jacket.

Officers believe the same suspect may be linked to other similar street robberies in the city centre over recent days.

A 39-year-old man suffered facial injuries including lost teeth when he was punched to the ground from behind in Fish Street at about 4.47am yesterday. His wallet, phone and keys were taken.

A 19-year-old man was knocked unconscious and left with fractures to his eye socket and cheek bones, as well as a dislodged jaw that may require surgery, when he was attacked by one of two suspects in St Alban's Place. 

His phone and wallet were stolen in the incident that occurred between 1.30am and 1.45am on Sunday, July 7.

Between 2am and 3am the same day, a 47-year-old man was attacked and robbed in Regent Street by two males described as being aged 18 to 20 and possibly Kurdish or Romanian.

Detective Inspector Vicky Vessey, who heads Leeds District Crime Team, said: 'We are currently keeping an open mind as to whether all these incidents are linked but they do follow a similar pattern in terms of the circumstances where lone male victims have been targeted while on nights out.

'The CCTV footage from the incident in Merrion Street is truly appalling and shows very starkly the sickening level of violence used by the offender.

'We hope it will help to focus people's minds, and we encourage anyone who recognises the suspect or who has any information that could assist the investigation to contact us immediately.

'We are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries to identify the offender at the earliest opportunity as it's very clear there could easily be more serious consequences.'