Police are appealing for witnesses after a "senseless assault" in Harpenden.

A 25-year-old man was using the zebra crossing near the Co-op in Southdown Road at around 8.30am on Tuesday, October 14 when a small white van drove through the crossing, narrowly missing him.

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

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

The driver then hit the victim in the face before running back to the van and driving off.

The driver is described as white, aged 45 to 55 years old, between 5ft 6in and 5ft 8in tall, of heavy build, with grey hair and a 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, who is investigating the incident, 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 contact Hertfordshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference F2/14/1426.