The police are hunting a gang of street robbers whose use of violence against their victims is deeply disturbing.

The thugs attacked a 31-year-old woman in Allerton, pushing her to the ground, hitting her, rummaging through her pockets and making off with a mobile phone and some cash.

The same people are thought to have been behind an attack on a teenage girl in the same area of Bradford.

When she bravely refused to give them money, they hit her before forcing her to hand over keys and a mobile phone.

What is particularly worrying about these incidents is the apparent casual use of force by these yobs.

That they were prepared to go to such extremes for seemingly so little – and they could not have expected to steal much from either victim – is chilling.

They are clearly callous individuals who acted in a cowardly and selfish fashion.

The feelings and rights of others mean nothing to such people, which is why they can be so dangerous.

Thankfully, the police have been able to put together detailed descriptions of these robbers.

We would urge anyone who knows anything about these crimes or their perpetrators to call the police before anyone else is targeted and perhaps even seriously hurt.