The victim, a man aged in his 20s, was walking in Burghley Square at 9.30pm on Sunday (11 October) when a man approached him and asked for money.

When the victim refused, the man punched him, knocking him to the ground, and started going through his pockets.

The man ran away along Burghley Road when a motorist stopped and told him to leave the victim alone.

The victim suffered minor injuries and nothing was stolen.

The attacker is described as white, 5’10”, and wearing a grey hoodie and grey jogging bottoms.

DC George Corney said: “I would like to hear from anyone who was in the area and saw this happen or has any doorbell CCTV or dashcam footage.

“I would especially like to hear from the passing motorist, a woman, who stopped and defended the victim.”

Anyone with information should report it through the force website using reference 35/79169/26, or by calling 101.