POLICE are appealing for help from witnesses after an assault in which a woman was knocked to the ground and punched repeatedly.

The assault happened as the 22-year-old woman was walking alone through Selby to her home.

The victim, who has not been named by police, was heading along Leeds Road, near Selby High School, on Saturday, June 4, at about 10.30pm.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said the attacker approached her from behind and hit her on the back of the head, knocking her to the ground.

While she was on the ground, her assailant punched her repeatedly in the face and stomach, leaving her with a black eye and bruises.

PC Lauren Harper, of the Selby Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This was an unprovoked attack which naturally left the victim not only with injuries to her face, but also feeling distressed. I urge anyone who witnessed the assault to come forward straight away as I need to speak to them.

“I also ask that if anyone has any information at all about the offender or saw the victim in the area at the time, they get in touch with me as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should phone PC Harper at Selby police station on 0845 6060247, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.