Woman attacked in Wellington

File photo / NZ Herald

A 21-year-old Wellington woman has been hospitalised with serious bruising and swelling to the head after a vicious assault overnight.

The woman was attacked on Wallace Street in suburban Mount Cook about 1.30am, Wellington CIB Detective Sergeant Penny Gifford said.

"As the victim walked along Wallace Street she was approached from behind by an unknown male and punched to the ground," she said.

"She was then punched repeatedly to the head before residents were alerted to her screams. At that point, the offender ran off towards John Street."

The attacker was described as Caucasian, in his mid to late twenties, with short, possibly blonde hair.

He was wearing a pale blue an white bomber-style jacket.

"We are urging anyone who may know this offender to come forward as soon as possible," Ms Gifford said.

"We're also keen to speak to a woman also walking south along Wallace Street at the time, a taxi driver who pulled up in the area about 1.30am and a male in the area who spoke to residents after the attack."

- NZPA