WE read and hear about violent street attacks and muggings all too frequently, so it is easy to become immune. Out of sight, out of mind and all that.

It is only when confronted by the stark reality of pictures like that of electrician Rob Jennings that the brutality of these crimes sinks in.

Mr Jennings, who suffered two fractures to his jaw and a fractured eye socket, is brave to speak so candidly and to allow his picture to be published, as a warning to others.

Police bring many of the thugs who commit these crimes to book, so we hope that anyone with any information about this attack in the early hours of Saturday will come forward.

The perpetrators deserve to be swiftly caught and receive the stiff sentences their savagery merits.

While Mr Jennings is appealing for people not to walk home alone, we do have to remember that the vast majority of people enjoy nights out in Oxford in safety.

But we will all be even safer when these three muggers are off our streets, hopefully for a very long time.