Northern Territory Police are investigating the assault and robbery of a man in Alice Springs yesterday afternoon.
Around 2:30pm the man was on the footpath along the Todd River, 20 meters north of the Stott Terrace Bridge when he was approached by a group of youth requesting a cigarette.
It is alleged the man ignored the request and while he was walking away was allegedly struck to the back of the head and face multiple times causing him to fall to the ground.
While on the ground it is alleged the unknown offenders repeatedly kicked and punched the man before fleeing the scene, taking the man's cigarettes.
Police are seeking public assistance to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the assault, or have information that identifies those involved.
Anyone with information that may assist with the investigations is urged to contact police on 131 444 or report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote PROMIS number 8923119.
