TWO men were set upon by a group of machete-wielding thugs as they sat watching television on Wednesday night.

Police reported one suffered a broken finger and that both suffered deep lacerations about the body as a result of the unexpected attack, which took place at a Controversy Lane, Pembroke property shortly after 10 p.m.

The culprits appear not to have been deterred by machete laws implemented last July which allow a minimum prison sentence of three years for persons carrying bladed weapons in public.

Last November, then Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith reported the legislation had led to a drop in violent crime.

Previously one violent incident had been reported every 25 hours. He said that after the new law was passed, officers had seen a 14 per cent reduction, with an incident reported every 31 hours.

According to a media spokesperson, the victims of this most recent attack were both Pembroke residents ? aged 41 and 47 years.

Neither claims to have known the three assailants.

"They stated that they were sitting outside in the old stables on the property watching TV when a group of unknown men arrived in a car," the spokesperson said.

"Three men exited the vehicle and proceeded to attack the 41-year-old man with machetes."

The 47 year old went to assist his friend after he heard the commotion, and promptly became the second victim, the spokesperson added.

"The suspects then made good their escape in the car they arrived in. As a result, the 41-year-old Pembroke man sustained a deep laceration to the head, a laceration to the ear, a broken right middle finger and a laceration to the back of his left hand.

"The 47-year-old Pembroke man sustained a deep laceration to the left elbow and abrasions to his back. Both were taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment, however their injuries are not believed to be life threatening."

The suspects are described as "a dark-skinned male, 5 ft. 9 in. tall of thin build with a close haircut, a dark-skinned male, 5 ft. 4 in. tall of medium build with a close haircut and a light-skinned male, 5 ft. 2 in. tall with curly, close hair."