A cyclist who attacked pedestrians with a hammer in a series of “extremely violent” muggings is being hunted by police.

The bearded suspect left two victims in hospital when he struck four times in less than five hours on Monday in Hayes, west London.

The first victim, a 33-year-old man, was robbed of his phone in Botwell Lane, at 9.21pm. The mugger then hit a man, whose age is unknown, in the head with a hammer in the same street, leaving him needing hospital treatment for non-serious injuries.

He then threatened to attack two more men, before a 54-year-old man was rushed to hospital by paramedics with head injuries induced by a blow from behind.

Police believe the man was hit in the Keith Road area, and are calling for anyone for information to come forward after he was left with serious injuries.

Scotland Yard said all four attacks are linked. No arrests have been made.

Detective Inspector Elly Maggs of the West Area Command Unit CID said: “It is vital that we identify, locate and apprehend the male responsible for these unprovoked and extremely violent attacks as a matter of urgency.

“If you have any information that could assist this investigation, please do not hesitate to call us.”