POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an unprovoked assault which took place at Hookfield, in Harlow, and left a man with a broken jaw.

The attack took place at around 11.10pm on Saturday October 26 as the victim, a 39-year-old man, was walking with two friends along Hookfield, towards shops at Bush Fair.

They were approached by three men who shouted abuse at them before one of these men then approached the victim from behind and punched him to the back of the head and then continued to repeatedly punch him.

The victim has then been further attacked by two of the men and kicked whilst on the ground.

The attackers have then run off as a member of the public came out of a nearby house to investigate the noise.

The first man, the initial attacker, is described as white, 5ft 9in tall, of skinny build, mid to late 20s, with short dark hair. He was wearing a navy blue long sleeve top.

The second man is described as white, 5ft 11in, of skinny build, around 18 to 19 years old, with short dark hair. He was also wearing a dark coloured long sleeve top and jeans.

The third man is described as roughly the same age.

Police are keen to hear from anyone with information about the assault or who may have seen the three men running from the location.

PC James Bull said: “This was a particularly cowardly attack by these men on a man who was minding his own business on a trip to the shops on a Saturday night. The victim suffered severe facial injuries which have required surgery to his jaw.

“No-one should be allowed to get away with this and we would urge anyone with information about the people responsible to contact us immediately. They can call me at Harlow Police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”