Shoppers attacked and robbed in Melbourne

Two people have been assaulted and robbed by three men as they walked back to their car at a Melbourne shopping centre.

A man, 37, and woman, 30, were approached by the men as they returned to their car at a shopping centre in Essendon just before 6pm on January 16, police say.

Two of the men began punching the male victim in the head, while the other threw the woman to the ground and attempted to steal her handbag.

After the struggle, the men left the carpark in a silver sedan with the victim's phone and car keys.

Police have released CCTV footage of the attack.

The victims also managed to take a photo of one of their attackers during the assault.