Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault in Harpenden recently.

A 25-year-old man was walking across a zebra crossing on Southdown Road near the Co-op when a small white van drove through it narrowly missing him.

As it drove past, the victim tapped the side of the van with his umbrella to make the driver aware he was on the crossing.

The male driver parked him van near the junction of Piggottshill Lane before chasing after the victim and swearing at him.

He then struck the victim to the face before running back to the van and driving off.

The driver is described as white, aged 44 to 55 years old, between 5ft 6in and 5ft 8in tall, oh heavy build, with grey hair and grey beard.

He was wearing a two-tone top with a zip, which was possibly light and dark grey in colour.

PC Richard Donbavand from the Harpenden and Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “This was a senseless assault on a pedestrian who was simply trying to alert the driver to his presence. Thankfully the victim wasn’t more seriously injured.

“This is a busy road and the incident occurred during peak travel time so I appealing for anyone who saw what happened to contact me. Equally, if you think you might know who the van driver is then please get in touch.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Hertfordshire Constabulary on the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.