Police investigating the brutal attack of three friends in their 20s have released CCTV footage of the moment they were assaulted by an African gang.

The young men were walking along foreshore in St Kilda, Melbourne, at around 11.15pm on December 1 when a group of 12 men approached them.

Without warning, the gang started to punch and kick the three friends.

The victims tried to walk away but the group followed them and were joined by several more men.

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Police investigating the brutal attack of three friends in their 20s have released CCTV footage of the moment they were assaulted by an African gang (pictured are men police believe can assist with enquiries)

The young men were walking along foreshore in St Kilda, Melbourne, at around 11.15pm on December 1 when a group of 12 men approached them (pictured are men police believe can assist with enquiries)

One victim, a 24-year-old man from Burwood East, was repeatedly punched in the head until he passed out.

His mobile phone and wallet were taken from him while he was unconscious and he suffered a broken nose and facial bruising.

The second victim, a 26-year-old Wheeler's Hill man, tried to step in to help his friend but was kicked in the head until he also lost consciousness.

He suffered cuts and bruises to his face.

The third victim, 20, from Vermont South, was chased off and suffered only minor injuries.

Without warning, the gang started to punch and kick the three friends (pictured are men police believe can assist with enquiries)

The 24-year-old and 26-year-old were both taken to hospital after bystanders came to their aid.

The offenders had fled the scene by the time police and ambulance officers arrived.

Port Philip CIU Detective Senior Constable Nathan Sheppard said the victims were doing fine following the incident.

'It's going to take them some time to get over what took place but they're gradually moving on with things,' he said.

The two men were released from hospital the following morning.

No one has been charged or arrested over what police describe as an 'unprovoked, random and brutal' incident (pictured are men police believe can assist with enquiries)

No one has been charged or arrested over what police describe as an 'unprovoked, random and brutal' incident.

'You could speculate that there were drugs and alcohol involved but it's hard to say,' said Senior Constable Sheppard.

Senior Constable Sheppard said Victoria Police have stepped up the amount of patrols at various points of the foreshore.