35-year-old Tony Hawker was initially assaulted, but managed to see off the group of youths. But they then returned and further assaulted Mr Hawker and his neighbour, Mr Wayne Latham, 50, knocking them both unconscious.

At just after midnight on Saturday morning (May 10), Mr Hawker, noticed a group of youths causing damage to a nearby car. He called out to the group, telling them to leave the vehicle alone. But the group turned their attention to him and his vehicle.

The group entered the man's garden and began hitting his vehicle. They refused to leave his property so the man confronted them brandishing a baseball bat. However, one of the youths, who was wearing a white tracksuit jacket, punched the man and after more threats from both sides, the youths left.

Between 20 and 40 minutes later a larger group of youths returned to the street. The same attacker from the previous incident then picked up a bicycle which was leaning against a hedge and threw it at Mr Latham, who was out in his garden following the earlier commotion. He was knocked unconscious and then assaulted again.

Mr Hawker then went to his neighbour's aid, but was struck on the back of the head and knocked unconscious. When he came round he felt punches and kicks to his chest, back and legs.

Both men received hospital treatment for their injuries but have been discharged.

Detective Constable Julia Coker, who is investigating, said: "This was a despicable crime on two men who were trying to protect their, and their neighbours', property.

"There would have been a number of residents who either heard or saw what happened and I would like to speak to them.

"Please come foward if you know anything about this. This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated."

Officers believe three incidents of criminal damage in Ramsey on the same night are linked to the assaults.

In Little Whyte, at 12.30am (May 10), a resident looked out of his window to see a young man jumping on the roof of his red Vauxhall Corsa. The offender was around 18 or younger and wearing a dark T-shirt and jeans. Another young man was with him. He was white, around 5'9" wearing a white top and jeans.

At 2am, a silver Nissan Primera in The Avenue had one wing mirror stolen, the other smashed, and its windscreen shattered.

In the same street, between midnight and 1am, a wing mirror was ripped off a blue Ford Mondeo.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Coker at Huntingdon Police Station on 0845 456 456 4 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.