A man punched a 14-year-old boy in the mouth in an apparently unprovoked attack in Hitchin.

The terrified teen was assaulted in the Coopers Yard development on Wednesday last week.

The boy was approached and threatened by an adult who then punched the victim in the mouth before he ran off.

The suspect is described as a white man, between 5ft 9in and 6ft tall. He was wearing a baggy black Nike hoody, baggy grey jogging bottoms, black trainers, black scarf and black woolly gloves.

Following the incident, the victim joined friends and made his way home safely.

PC Dan Aston said: “I would like to reassure residents that this type of incident is unusual in Hitchin, and we are doing everything we can to trace the person responsible.

“We are supporting the victim and we would advise young people to keep to busy paths on their way home from school and walk with friends where possible.”

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting crime reference number G1/17/612, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.