An 11-year-old boy has been pulled off his bicycle and bashed in a daylight attack in Christchurch.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident in the Broomfield area of Hornby about 6.15pm yesterday.
The boy is reported to have been cycling along Vanguard Drive towards Buchanans Road.
As hecycled along the footpath next to 'Broomfield Common', a man walking towards him is alleged to have pulled him off his bicycle and assaulted him. The boy managed to break free and cycle home where he told his mother who contacted police.
The man is described as Caucasian, aged about 50, a grey goatee beard, about 170cm tall, solidly build with a prominent pot-belly.
He is understood to have been bare foot and was wearing a black woollen jersey, black cotton track pants and a black beanie.
Canterbury Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area about 6pm last night and who may have seen the man described or know of him to contact them.
Anyone with information or who can assist with this ongoing investigation is asked to contact police by calling (03) 363 7400 option 1.