A gang of knife-wielding Southwold robbers, who terrorised three men in two separate attacks, were being hunted by police today.

A gang of knife-wielding Southwold robbers, who terrorised three men in two separate attacks, were being hunted by police today.

A 41-year-old man and his 70-year-old father were taking photographs of the night sky on the foothpath at the end of East Street when they were approached by four youths at 9.50pm on Tuesday.

The thieves threatened the pair with a long, thin weapon before taking the camera and fleeing towards Gun Hill.

In an earlier attempted robbery, four youths approached a 22-year-old man who was walking along the promenade near the beach huts, listening to an iPod.

The boys surrounded the man at around 9.30pm and asked the man to show him the music-player, but they disappeared and he continued walking up a ramp to the Marlborough Road/ North Parade area.

As the victim headed back towards St James Green he saw the boys again on North Parade near the Dunwich Road and Chester Road junctions.

One of the taller youths threatened him with a knife and demanded he hand over the iPod, but the man escaped unhurt with his property, running in front of a car to get away.

The boys in both incidents were described as white, with two in their early to mid-teens, about 4ft to 4ft 6ins, wearing lighter colour coats with hoods.

The taller youths were older, around 5ft to 5ft 6ins tall, wearing dark coats with hoods. All four covered their faces with items of clothing.

Anyone with information should call DC Mark Beresford on 01986 835300.