A 34-year-old man was attacked by a group of up to eight individuals at St Kilda Pier around 1 p.m. on Thursday, with the incident unfolding in front of witnesses.

During the altercation, the assailants stole the man’s phone and tossed it into the water.

Detective Senior Constable Jesse Coppel explained that the group had accused the victim of taking unauthorized photographs of people at the pier.

“In an attempt to clear his name, the victim showed his phone to the group to demonstrate he hadn’t taken any photos, yet they still assaulted him,” Coppel stated.

Coppel further noted that witnesses had seen the phone’s contents before it was destroyed, confirming there was nothing inappropriate or incriminating on it.

“It seems to me as if they have used this as an excuse to confront this man and when it’s not followed through they’ve assaulted him anyway regardless.”

He said the behaviour was “disgusting” and people deserved to be able to enjoy the beach peacefuly.

“People behaving in this way is deplorable, it doesn’t belong here,” Coppel said.

The man was taken to hospital with a broken arm and has since returned home despite previously intending to spend Christmas in Australia.

Coppel said police had not been able to speak with him at length.

The offenders fled the scene but police have released images of four people they wish to speak with.

All four people are believed to be aged in their early 20s.

The first man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, approximately 165cm tall with a thin build, short goatee beard and black curly hair.

He was wearing black shorts and sunglasses.

The second man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 175cm tall with a medium build, short goatee beard and short brown hair.

He was wearing an open grey short sleeve shirt, blue camouflage shorts, a black New York Yankees beanie, black Nike runners and carrying a sports bag.

The third man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 170cm tall with a thin build and curly hair with shaved sides. He may be in his late teens.

He was wearing a Chicago Bulls #13 jersey, black Nike shorts, black Nike slides and carrying a black satchel bag.

The woman is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 160cm tall with a slim build and dark hair.

She has a number of distinctive tattoos on her chest, leg and arm and was wearing a red bikini.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or recognises one of those described is urged to contact police.