A 55-year-old man was beaten and hospitalised after being set upon by a group of young men armed with metal and wooden poles in South Melbourne this week.

Police said the victim was walking home from work along Clarendon Street about 4.20am on Tuesday when he was approached by a group of seven males.

This group of seven males are believed to have assaulted a man in his 50s in South Melbourne. Credit:Victoria Police

The offenders were described as 16 to 18 years old, wearing hooded tops and some carrying backpacks. One of the group had a bandanna around his mouth and nose. Footage shows they are of Caucasian apperance.

Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit detectives said the males were armed with what appeared to be metal or wooden poles.