Police are appealing for witnesses to an apparently random attack by a grey-haired woman in Lister Hospital car park.

Officers want to speak to anyone who was in the area at around 11.50am on Wednesday, January 26 when a woman in her 50s attacked a 28-year-old woman from Stevenage.

The younger woman was standing near disabled bays waiting for a taxi when the woman, described as slim with grey hair, pulled up in a blue car in one of the bays. She then got out, verbally abused the woman and grabbed her by the throat.

The victim, who did not know her attacker, struck out, before a taxi pulled up, allowing her to escape. She was unhurt.

Investigating officer Pc Kylie Smith called it a “very unusual incident”. She urged anyone with information to call the non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting crime reference E1/11/611.