A woman who was riding a mobility scooter along a village footpath has been punched in the head several times in an unprovoked attack.

The incident took place between 7pm and 8pm in Henlow on Sunday as the 55-year-old woman was riding along the footpath, which runs besides the allotments just off High Street.

She was approached from behind by the offender who grabbed her shoulder before punching her several times in the head. As the woman tried to defend herself, the offender struck her across the hand with a weapon, which police believe could have possibly been a knife, which caused cuts.

The woman then fell from her mobility scooter and was trapped underneath it and the offender ran away towards the High Street.

The victim has not suffered any serious injury, but has been left shaken by the incident and scared to leave her home.

Pc Gareth Underwood, who is investigating the assault, is keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the attack, may have witnessed the assault or may have any information about the offender who is described as being male, around 5ft 7inch tall, wearing a t-shirt and smelling of alcohol and body odour.

Pc Underwood said: “This was nothing more than a cowardly attack on a vulnerable adult who has now been left terrified to venture out of her home. I would urge anyone with information to contact Bedfordshire Police so that we can find this offender and stop him from causing any more misery.

“There was a fireworks display taking place in Henlow at the time of the attack and a lot of people were in attendance. Hopefully someone will have seen something or have information about this assault and come forward to help us with our inquiries.”

If you have information relating to this incident, contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on the non-emergency 101 number, or text information to 07786 200011. Alternatively contact charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org