Two men were assaulted in the early hours of Sunday morning in the centre of Hamilton by a group of between seven and ten men and one woman.

The two men ? understood to be Portuguese workers ? were walking along Reid Street at 3 a.m. when one of them popped into Joel's Alley for a few seconds.

When he did not reappear his friend went to see what had happened and found him lying on the ground surrounded by a group of men, said Police.

The second man then tried to intervene but was him set upon by the group and received injuries after being knocked to the ground and kicked and punched in the face.

A chocolate-coloured wallet containing $450 and various cards, together with a cell phone, were taken from the man.

Police said the two injured men described the group of attackers as consisting of seven or ten black men and one black woman. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police on 295-0011.