POLICE are hunting an attacker who hurled an elderly man's walking aid off a bus before kicking him in the stomach.

The victim, a man in his 70s, was sent sprawling on to the pavement and suffered a head injury which needed hospital treatment.

Members of the public are being asked to help identify a man following the release of CCTV images.

Officers were called after the incident, which happened after the victim got on to the 1A bus in Barrack Road in Christchurch at around 9.20am on Monday October 7.

The driver told the victim that he could not use his bus pass for another 10 minutes but the victim continued to get on the bus and sit down.

A short time later the driver asked the victim to leave so he could continue. The attacker, who was a passenger on the bus, picked up the victim’s walking aid and hat and threw them off the bus onto the pavement.

The victim got off the bus to retrieve his items. As he attempted to step back on the bus, the offender kicked the victim in the stomach causing him to fall back onto the pavement and bang his head on the ground.

Two boys, who were in the area at the time, went to the victim’s aid and helped him to his feet. The victim waited at the bus stop and got onto a second bus. He suffered a cut to his head and was treated in hospital.

Police Constable Jim Perks, of Christchurch police, said: “I am very keen to identify the suspect from this CCTV image and I would urge anyone who knows who he is to please contact Dorset Police.

“I would also appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident to please get in touch.”

Information to Dorset Police on 101, quoting occurrence number 55190159218, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.