Police are appealing for witnesses after a teenage girl was injured during a "physical altercation" in Stevenage earlier today.

It is reported that the incident, involving the girl and a man, took place near Broadwater Crescent at around 1pm today (Monday, May 15).

The girl's face was injured during the incident, and she is receiving treatment. She ran from the altercation and sought help from members of the public.

The man involved is described as being white and six feet tall, wearing a baseball cap, a black tracksuit with stripes on the legs, black trainers, and a black bandana to cover his face.

Detective Constable Daniel Judge, from the Stevenage Local Crime Unit at Herts police, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a teenage girl, who has understandably been left very shaken.

"We are currently carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the circumstances around what happened and to trace the man involved.

“If you have any information which may assist us, please contact me as soon as possible via email to daniel.judge@herts.police.uk and quote ISR 355 of Monday, May 15.”

Information can also be reported online at herts.police.uk/report, via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact, or by calling the non-emergency number 101.

Anonymous information can be given by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.