A YOUTH escaped an attack by holding onto a moving taxi after one of his friends was knocked unconscious and another was left with a broken nose.

Detectives are appealing to the taxi driver to get in touch after the three youths were assaulted near Portland Terrace, Southampton , and have released this CCTV image.

The victims, two aged 19 from Dibden Purlieu and a 20-year-old from Hythe , were on their way home on Saturday, July 21, when another group of three men followed them and shouted to them to hand over their phones. As they reached Asda one of the youths was hit from behind and knocked unconscious.

One of the three went to a taxi parked in Portland Terrace to ask for help. He was assaulted against the taxi but managed to escape by holding on to the roof rail of the moving car.

A 23-year-old Southampton man has been arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been bailed until August 20.

Call Shirley CID on 101.