TWO attacks carried out within minutes of each other earlier this week in Wanstead may be linked, say police.

In the first, a 26-year-old man left Wanstead station just before midnight on Monday, and was walking down New Wanstead when a grey car pull up behind him. He heard someone shout come here', and turned around to see five men running towards him. He ignored them but they surrounded him and one said: "What have you got for me?"

He tried to run off but was grabbed and punched, cutting his lip in the process, so he handed over a ten pound note and his mobile phone worth £150.

One of the attackers is described as around 5ft 9ins tall, Asian, with short black hair and a stocky build. Another is thought to be around 20years old, Asian and 5ft 10ins tall, wearing dark clothing and with short thin black hair.

Twenty minutes later a 25-year-old man was walking past Wanstead Garage and Car Hire in Wellington Road after leaving Wanstead Station.

He became aware of a group of young men who got out of a red vehicle and a grey Peugeot.

The men walked straight towards him and demanded to see his phone. Their target refused but he was punched and pulled to the ground receiving a cut to the eyebrow and bruising, before they took his phone which was worth around £50.

He lost a contact lens during the attack but was able to see the men get back in their vehicles and head off towards Nelson Road.

All the attackers were said to be around 20 years old and Asian. One was 6ft 1in tall with cropped black hair and was wearing dark clothing, while another was around 5ft 10ins wearing a navy blue jacket and dark blue trousers.

Anyone with information on the attacks should call PC Dave Chitty in the robbery squad at Ilford police on 8345 2667.

dyeatman@london.newsquest.co.uk