Officers investigating a brutal attack on a 24-year-old minicab driver in Herne Hill have released efits of two suspects.

The victim was attacked after collecting two passengers from Elephant and Castle at around 10pm on February 26.

The pair asked the driver to take them to an address in Dulwich.

As they headed towards Herne Hill the passengers asked the driver to stop and collect another person and directed him down Green Dale, a no-through road.

One of the passengers, who was sat in the front seat, started looking through the victim's glove compartment and searching the car.

The driver challenged him and the man became aggressive, shouting that he was looking for a lighter.

The front seat passenger got out of the car, while the second passenger remained in the back seat, and walked to the driver's side and tried to open his door.

Fearing he was going to be attacked the victim attempted to drive off, but as he did the passenger in the back seat reached over and grabbed him round the neck.

The driver was forced to stop the car and the passenger reached over to grab the keys from the ignition.

The men attacked the victim, punching and kicking him and stamping on his head.

At one point the victim managed to get up and started to run away. But as he started to call 999 on his mobile phone he was tackled to the ground and beaten again.

His attackers searched his pockets and stole credit cards and cash and demanded PIN numbers.

Detectives believe the men left the scene on a bus, either route 42 or 484, which they caught from the top of Denmark Hill.

It is then thought they got off near Camberwell Green where they attempted to use a stolen car in a cash point outside Somerfields at the bottom of Denmark Hill.

The first attacker is described as a mixed race Oriental/white man with light skin and short black hair. He has a 2in scar over the hair line.

He is described as being in his mid 20s, of slim build and 6ft.

He was wearing a shiny dark silver sports jacket which had a black stripe running down the arms, blue jeans and white trainers.

The second man is described as a very light skinned black man, also in his mid-20s, with a bald head. He is stocky and muscular and 5ft 6in tall. He was wearing a white jumper and white bottoms.

Detective Constable Matt Shiel said: "I am anxious to hear from the two men who came out of the pub on Wanley Road and disturbed the attackers. We know they were both black men and have no further information as they left the scene after calling emergency services.

"The victim required extensive hospital treatment and has not been able to work since as a result of the trauma."

Anyone with any information should call police on 020 7232 7543 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.