A teenager walking across a Stevenage playing field was taken to hospital after being struck on the head after being approached from behind - and police have today appealed for witnesses.

The 18-year-old was in the King George V recreation ground, near King George Close, when he was attacked at 3.30pm on Wednesday last week.

The assailant ran off in an unknown direction before they could be seen by the victim – who was then treated in hospital.

Det Con Kirsty Richardson, from the Stevenage local crime unit, said: “This was a nasty attack that left the victim needing hospital treatment for a wound.

“Though he did not have a chance to see the offender, I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the park at the time and may have witnessed what happened, or saw someone running from the scene.”

If you have any information that could assist the investigation please contact DC Richardson on 101, quoting crime reference number E1/17/4885.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.