TWO men were attacked, 19 cars damaged and a shop broken into as a gang of youths went on a crime rampage around Harnham in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The men were assaulted in separate unprovoked attacks in Lower Street, while cars were damaged in Harnham and Lower Bemerton and a fence and a window were smashed at One Stop in Netherhampton Road before a crate of beer was stolen from the shop.

The incidents are believed to be linked to a group of about eight young people, some thought to be as young as 14 or 15. One of the victims, a 38-year-old man who has asked not to be identified, was attacked by a group of young men as he walked home from a Christmas party in Salisbury.

He was hit on the head with what he thinks was a metal bar and was left cut, bruised and shocked.

“They just set upon me,” he said. “I was wearing a hat but I’ve got a cut, so it was something that hit me quite hard.

“There’s just no need,” he added. “It could have been so much worse. They could have had a knife or something; that’s the thing that shakes you up the most.” “Something like that shouldn’t happen. It’s totally unnecessary, and it’s not as if I provoked them.”

He managed to run away from his assailants and flag down a police car, which was in the area due to the reports of criminal damage to cars. A 57-year-old man was also attacked in the same area and was left with facial and shoulder injuries. DS Glenn Atkinson of Salisbury Police said the behaviour of the groups was “absolutely unacceptable” and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

In particular they would like to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Lower Road, Upper Street, Norfolk Road, Essex Square and across Town Path/Broken Bridges in the early hours of Saturday morning, including a man and woman seen walking along the Town Path who may have information that can assist police.Anyone with information is asked to contact DS Atkinson on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

· Two boys, a 15-year-old from Salisbury and a 14-year-old from Maiden Bradley, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Another 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage, along with a 19-year-old man and a 26-year-old man, all of whom are from Salisbury. They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.