A man was punched to the ground in West Ham and kicked as he lay helpless after telling his attackers he had no cigarettes.

The 32-year-old’s attackers allegedly approached him in Memorial Park before one began shouting abuse and hurling stones.

They followed him to Grange Road where an older man, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, arrived in a car.

He approached the victim and struck him in the face. All three then attacked while he was on the ground, leaving him bruised with a fractured jaw and a deep cut to his head requiring stitches.

The driver left the scene in the car while the younger attackers ran off.

“This was a sustained assault on the victim who was minding his own business when these suspects picked a fight and attacked for no apparent reason, leaving him needing hospital treatment for injuries,” said Det Con Dave Van der Valk.

The incident took place at about 8.30pm on December 22.

With no arrests made, police today released CCTV images of two suspects they want to speak to for their investigation.

“Do you know who they are?” asked Det Con Van der Valk.

“Please call in and provide their names.”

The first suspect, in his late teens to early 20s, is described as 5ft 9in tall with dark brown or black hair. He wore a “dark coloured top”.

The second, who is about 6ft tall, was clean shaven and wearing a light-coloured hoodie. He had short light brown or blond hair.

The third, older attacker had a darker complexion than the other two. He was about 5ft 8in tall with dark stubble on his face.

He wore a dark coloured jumper—possibly blue—and a beanie.

The third man said the other two suspects were his cousins, according to police.

Police ask witnesses, anyone who recognises the males or has information about the suspects to call 101, quoting reference 6068/22DEC17.