Did the same gang carry out two unprovoked attacks within minutes of each other in Harborough's town centre?

Police investigating the unprovoked attacks are now trying to establish if they were carried out by the same people.

Harborough-based officers are keeping an “open mind” as they hunt the gang.

A 19-year-old man was punched in the face near the Spar shop in Coventry Road just before 10pm.

The teenager received facial injuries after being ambushed by three men in a van.

The victim went to hospital to be treated for his injuries and shock.

Anyone with any information about the assault should call police on 101 quoting incident 656 of 9 December.

Minutes later a man in his 20s was attacked near Sainsbury’s petrol station on Springfield Street.

He was punched repeatedly in the face and sustained facial injuries and bruising.

The assault also took place after three men pulled up in a van before they sped off in to the night.

If you have any information about this attack then call police on 101 quoting incident 678 of 9 December.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: “In relation to whether the two incidents are being linked - enquiries are ongoing and officers are keeping an open mind in the investigations.”