A GANG of street robbers has struck for the seventh time -- and police today said they feared they were growing more violent.

Officers have warned men walking on their own at night to take extra care after the stabbing in Oakenhurst Road, Bank Top, Blackburn.

The gang attacked the latest victim, a 41-year-old man from Wensley Road, when he refused to hand over his mobile phone at 1.45am Saturday.

He was stabbed in the chest and the abdomen but received only minor injuries.

He was taken to Blackburn Infirmary but later discharged himself.

The group of Asian men left the scene in a dark-coloured car and one of the men was described as wearing a Kappa-style puffa jacket.

Inspector Steve Haworth, said: "This man was extremely lucky, as the wounds to his chest were only minor. However we are growing increasingly concerned by this group's general level of violence."

Inspector Phil Davies, added: "We would advise individuals to take extra precautions when out alone at night.

"People should avoid walking in isolated areas and stick to well-lit, main roads, as a number of these attacks have occurred in back alleys or lonely areas."

The gang is believed to pick victims by cruising around in a car.

It looks for lone men at night and police have said that no concern has been shown for victims or the consequences of actions.

One man was knocked unconscious with a weapon.

Another was a vulnerable, disabled man who had been left too scared now to go out.

The gang has previously struck in St Phillip's Street, Shear Brow, twice in Whalley New Road, Carlinghurst Road and Preston Old Road.

Most of the robberies happened in September.